Victimology
Assignment # 3
Question # 1
Imamates who are convicted and serving their sentences in federal prisons have very high risks of rape and sexual assaults. For most of states rape can be defined as “ nonconsensual oral, anal or vaginal penetration of the victim by body parts or objects using force, threats of bodily harm”. Sexual assault is defined as unwanted sexual conduct or behavior that can includes; attend to rape, unwanted touching, and forcible sexual acts such as; oral sex and penetration. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was created with the purpose to eliminate rape issues in United States’ prisons. The law, was enacted in 2003 specifically to protect imamates from sexual abuse by staff and imamate’ perpetrators. Policies and rules are very straight for all staff and imamates, under the section of New York Penal Law 130.05 to prohibited employees to have any sexual engagement with imamates. Any employees that participate in sexual conduct involving imamates’ presence will be guilty of sex offense, even if the imamate gives the consent to participate. For example in our state, The New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision has not tolerance for sexual abuse. According to Anthony J. Annucci the Acting Commissioner of (DOCCS), the department works hard to prevent, detent and response to any complains from imamates that are being sexual abused or sexual threated. The Correction Department’ staff have the responsibility of reporting any sexual conduct between employees and offenders. Also they have to report; any complaint, allegation or retaliation due to imamate participation in an investigation related to sexual abused. After watching the documentary “ How to Avoid Rape in Prison- Men” its clear, that sexual abuse is more than a myth in our correction system. According to the imamate’ testimonies, most of new imamates are young and they do not have experience when they coming into the system for first time. As protocol of new inmates, in the beginning they are very afraid, due to the expectations that they have of the new experience inside prison. Young people are the most affected by sexual approach from predators. Predators, likes to become friendly and cool, they looking for opportunity to approach and commit their crimes. The life inside prison could be very stressful and frustrating but there are also many tips that could help to new imamates to stay safe from sexual assaults. For example; be careful about; who you thrust, whom you will consider as friend, it because you do not know what the real intentions from that person is. Be carefully sharing personal information with other imamates, particularly personal problems and sexual orientation. It is much better; choose someone who is new in the system as well to be friends to explore the experience together. Do not take the shower without under- clothes, because if you do it can be a clear sign that you are new. Inside shower areas, stay focus on your business because predators seen shower areas as an opportunity to get closer, never talk in the shower areas, never accept t- shirts, boxers, or soap or anything from another inmates and always be aware of your surroundings. There are many different things inmates can do to stay safe in general, but the most important is to be yourself, do not use drugs, do not gamble, and always observe what going on around you. If you need something ask directly to the staff, not to an inmate, get out of troubles and don’t be afraid to talk and report any uncountable situation. Comparing the system 30 years ago and now about sexual abuse and rape issues, it become much better because before inmates were more afraid to report sexual abuse, now it is easier and they can do it in many different ways. Inmates do not freedom, but they deserve safety.
References
The Difference Between Sexual Battery and Rape | Criminal Law. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/what-difference-between-sexual-battery-and-rape.htm
How to Avoid Rape in Prison - Men's | Full Documentary HD [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxSrNdHqrMs
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.doccs.ny.gov/PREA/PREAinfo.html
Sexual Assault | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/sexual-assault
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