An alarming new study examines the sexual and psychological health of male inmates being held in Belgian prisons and how taboos surrounding homosexuality often prevent open dialogues about their sexualities.
The study was conducted by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a Dutch-speaking university in Brussels. It was overseen by professor Johan Vansintejan and Dr. Glenn Boulanger, who spoke to over 120 male inmates being held in ten different prison facilities around the country.
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Researchers observed that the men’s sexual needs were often left unaddressed, leading to situations of abuse and violence that often go unreported.
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6% of the inmates surveyed reported being forced to engage in sexual acts at least once with other man. A quarter of them said that they didn’t report what had happened to them because they didn’t feel comfortable talking about due to the taboos surrounding homosexuality.
An additional 7% of inmates said they had engaged in sexual acts with fellow prisoners voluntary, though they didn’t always want to. In some cases, the inmates agreed to the encounters in exchange for drugs, food, or protection.
“That is why it’s so important that sexuality is discussed in prison,” says Boulanger. “Sexuality is just as important for people in prison as for people outside.”
Inmates who reported being the most satisfied with their sexual needs being met were those who received unsupervised two-hour conjugal visits from their partners at least once a month.
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Three-quarters of these inmates reported that the visits have a positive effect on their overall well-being.
“The ones with a steady partner … are generally happiest about their sex lives,” Boulanger says. “The undisturbed visit plays an important role in this.”
“Maintaining a relationship contributes to a better mental and physical health of both the detainee and his partner.”
Researchers conclude that addressing inmates’ sexual needs and breaking down the taboos surrounding sexuality would have a positive impact on their overall health and create conditions for the men to engage in safe sexual contacts and relationships.
Additionally, they say, it would help to ensure inmates receive necessary protection against sexual violence.
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CenterRight
When you are locked up in jail because you commit a crime, this is one of the consequences you have to suffer. There is absolutely no need to address their “sexual needs”. What a ludicrous idea. You are a criminal, you stay in jail and just bite your tongue until you get out.
erichinnw
I get really tired of people making jokes about inmates getting raped in prison, like it’s a big joke. Folks commit a crime, do their time in prison and get released back into society. You on the other hand take the goddamn cake. It’s not just a joke for you, it’s an expected part of their incarceration.
mountainmaat
You think our justice system is fail safe???? LmaO!!!! I’ve known SERVERAL men locked up for plea deals as they were threatened with worse off rather then defend their innocence. Get off your high horse. Mental physical and sexual well being is HUMAN.
dbmcvey
Being raped is not a part of the sentence. That you think it is is truly disgusting.
fur_hunter
Not to worry about those criticizing you. I totally agree with you. EVERYONE realizes the conditions that exist in prison. It is NOT some SECRET. SOOOO….You commit the crime, you knew the consequences WAY beforehand. I say F UCK YOU! To all of them. I have NO SYMPATHY for ANY of them. It irks me that MY tax dollars are keeping them alive and getting better health care than I can afford. I say….F UCK THEM ALL!!!!!! And those of you who don’t like my opinion…..KISS MY A SS.
derek mcgillicuddy
How inhumane. They committed a crime so they deserved to be sexually abused in prison and even murdered no doubt. They asked for it? In a humane society you recognise the human needs of those under your care, but of course in the US it’s all about subjugating people under your kind government control. It’s the same as those who wail against abortion: they are all for the rights of the unborn but after there here who gives a damn? There was a riot in the prison near Santa Fe in 1980 and there was a young boy who was kept in the “snitch wing” because he was judged vulnerable because he was gay. When the prisoners rioted they went to the “snitch wing” and tortured everyone there. This boy’s dick and balls were cut off and fed into his mouth. His crime? shoplifting less than $100. I supposed he got what he deserved. [oh the humanity!]
RubenCook1608
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ShowMeGuy
You are disgusting.
Rob Moore
CenterRight? Sounds like a political affiliation. First, many inmates are there for things that involved no violence or physical harm to others. Think about the black college quarterback who was arrested in South Carolina and accused of have cocaine on his hood. Turns out it was bird shit. He was released, but there are many cases here in the South of people being arrested for possession of tiny amounts of weed and sent to prison. No one deserves to be raped except maybe Strumpet assholes.
Kaaper
My best friend is an ex-con who has been in prison three times. He tells me stories of rape are grossly overstated. It does happen, but not near as much as society believes.
Paco
“Inmates report being forced to engage in unwanted gay sex acts.”
That’s called sexual assault or rape. Why the soft-pedaling?
ShiningSex
a close friend of mine was in the military and later was in prison. he said there’s more gay sex in the miltary than in prison. it also was not “hidden”. others knew of men engaging in such things and didn’t care. it’s the mentality outside that cares more about it.
Itsonlythetruth
Over 120 men were interviewed, big deal. You can’t make generalizations on a sample group that small.
IWantAFullBeard
Statistics obviously aren’t your friend. You indeed can use a small sample group for statistical extrapolation.
Cam
Was there a word count that needed to be hit for this posting? Otherwise why change Rape to “Forced to engage in unwanted sex….”
joeboyle49
WELL RAPE DOES HAPPEN IN PRISON BUT I DIDN’T SEE ANY WHEN I WAS A GUARD AT A PRISON.
mancheeks64
This is some real truth THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS! All this “They did the crime, do the time’ ‘no matter how bad” is b.s. AND puts the rest of the innocent people in and out of prison in jeopardy. DUH!!!
Rex Huskey
if you’ve ever been there you will know belgium men love to wear extremely tight pants… showing their azz and junk….. just saying
Aires the Ram
Sounds like there are a lot of ‘arm chair experts’ here who have never seen the inside of a prison.