Content Warning: This article contains a firsthand account of sexual assault and may be triggering for survivors.
Understanding Male Sexual Assault in Prison
Sexual violence in correctional facilities remains one of the most serious human rights issues in the American criminal justice system. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 80,000 men and women experience sexual abuse in correctional facilities annually. Research shows that between 4-21% of male inmates report some form of sexual victimization during incarceration, depending on how the question is asked and the specific facility conditions.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), passed in 2003 and with national standards implemented in 2014, established a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse in all correctional facilities. Despite these protections, sexual assault remains a pervasive threat, particularly in higher-security institutions where gang violence and predatory behavior are more common.
What follows is a survivor’s account of experiencing repeated gang rape while incarcerated. His story reflects the reality that many men face behind bars but few feel safe discussing.
A Survivor’s Story: My Experience with Gang Rape in Prison
The First Days Behind Bars
In 2008, I was sent to prison on drug-related charges linked to manufacturing and distribution of a controlled substance. I had just turned twenty-five and had no idea what life was really like behind bars.
I identify as straight, though sexual orientation has nothing to do with why men are targeted for sexual assault in prison. This is about power, control, and the predatory culture that exists in many correctional facilities.
When I first arrived at the correctional facility in the Southeast, something inside me knew things were going to be bad. There’s no way to explain this except to say my inner voice kept telling me to be careful. I didn’t understand yet that everyone was sizing me up, learning who I was and why I was doing time.
The First Assault in the Maintenance Shop
On the fifth day of my incarceration, two members of the Latin Kings gang forced me to have sex with them. Before getting sent away, I wasn’t a weak person—I used to work out at the gym, box regularly, and worked part-time as a furniture mover. But none of that mattered when I was cornered.
The rape happened after I was assigned to the Maintenance Shop. When the correctional officers weren’t present, two gang members cornered me near the doorway. They made explicit comments about what they wanted. When I refused, one of them pulled out a piece of rebar and struck me across the face.
Everything after that is a blur. I woke up later in a closet—what inmates call “the cut,” meaning out of sight from cameras. The blood from my temple didn’t bother me as much as discovering what had been done to me while I was unconscious.
When a guard spotted me in the hallway, I lied and said I’d slipped and hit my head. I received emergency medical attention in the prison infirmary, but I kept my mouth shut about what really happened. In prison, inmates who report sexual assault to authorities often don’t live very long. The code against “snitching” is absolute, and survival sometimes means silence.
Why Victims Don’t Report: The Culture of Silence
Research shows that approximately 65% of inmates believe reporting sexual assault is the same as snitching. Only about one-quarter of male inmates and one-tenth of female inmates report their victimization to correctional officers or prison officials. This culture of silence means most incidents go unreported and unpunished.
After the first assault, word spread. Once it happens one time, it will happen again. That’s the reality nobody talks about. You become marked as a victim, and other predators see you as easy prey.
Cornered in the Bathroom: The Pattern Continues
The next incident happened about one month into my sentence. I was on my way to a Christian Worship group when four gang members stopped me near the bathroom. Two of them were the same men who had assaulted me before, but there were two new attackers—older men, probably in their middle to late thirties.
I tried to get away, but they pushed me into the bathroom. Three entered while one watched the door. One of them held a shank against my neck and told me if I made a sound, he would cut my throat and watch me bleed out.
The largest of the group grabbed me by my hair, bent me over a sink, and violently raped me. I tried not to make sounds, but the pain was excruciating. Worried I’d attract attention, he pulled me up and spun me around. That’s when another gang member forced himself into my mouth.
From there, it became a rotation. While one stood lookout, the other three took turns. They laughed and joked the entire time like it was entertainment. I can still see flashes of my face in that bathroom mirror as it was happening.
Over the course of a six-month period, incidents like this occurred several more times.
Finding a Way Out
Eventually, I got so desperate to escape the repeated sexual assaults that I decided to cooperate with prosecutors on several drug-related cases, providing actionable information in exchange for a transfer. I was moved to a minimum-security prison camp facility, which offers a dramatically different environment than penitentiaries.
While sexual assault can occur in prison camps, it’s far less common due to lower security levels, different inmate populations, and better supervision. I was not assaulted again after my transfer.
Life After Release: The Long Road to Recovery
I was finally released two years ago. To this day, I still have flashbacks of being raped by male gangs who thought nothing of forcing themselves inside me. The trauma doesn’t end when you walk out of prison.
Sexual assault eats at your sense of masculinity and makes you question yourself. The shame, the anger, the sense of powerlessness—all of it follows you home. I’m currently working with a therapist to help sort out the flashbacks and terrible nightmares that continue to plague me.
The Psychological Impact of Prison Sexual Assault
Research shows that victims of prison sexual assault often experience:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with intrusive memories and flashbacks
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
- Difficulty with intimate relationships and trust
- Shame and damaged self-image
- Increased risk of substance abuse relapse
- Suicidal ideation
- Higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
For male survivors specifically, the assault challenges cultural expectations about masculinity and can create profound confusion about sexual identity, even though sexual assault has nothing to do with sexual orientation. It’s about violence, not desire.
My Recovery Journey
Since getting out, I’ve been completely clean. I don’t go anywhere near illegal substances and try to live a more purposeful life. Recovery is a daily process that will probably take years to fully work through.
Finding a therapist who understands trauma—specifically sexual trauma—has been essential. Group support through programs like AA and NA has also been helpful, as many people in recovery communities understand the intersection of trauma and substance use.
Resources for Survivors of Prison Sexual Assault
If you are a survivor of sexual assault in prison, please know you’re not alone and help is available:
24/7 Confidential Support
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org for confidential chat support
- Text Support: Text “HOPE” to 64673
- En Español: Services available in Spanish at rainn.org/es
Specialized Resources
- Just Detention International: Organization dedicated specifically to ending sexual abuse in detention, offering support for current and former inmates
- PREA Resource Center: Information about your rights under the Prison Rape Elimination Act
- Local Sexual Assault Service Providers: Find services in your area through RAINN’s provider search
For Current Inmates
Under PREA standards, you have the right to:
- Report sexual abuse confidentially
- Receive immediate medical and mental health care
- Access to sexual assault forensic exams at no cost
- Protection from retaliation for reporting
- Contact victim advocacy organizations
Most facilities have PREA hotlines and reporting mechanisms. While the fear of retaliation is real, facilities are required to investigate all allegations and provide protective custody when necessary.
What Therapists Should Know
For mental health professionals working with survivors of prison sexual assault:
- Understand that these assaults are about power and violence, not sexual orientation
- Recognize the added layers of shame and stigma male survivors face
- Be prepared to address masculinity issues and identity confusion
- Screen for PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, and HIV risk
- Create a judgment-free space where survivors can process without shame
- Recognize that the prison environment created barriers to reporting and escape
Understanding the Statistics
Sexual violence in prisons is both underreported and difficult to measure accurately. Here’s what research tells us:
- In 2019-2020, correctional facilities reported over 36,000 allegations of sexual victimization
- The actual number is believed to be much higher due to underreporting
- Male inmates report sexual victimization at rates between 4-7% in most studies, though some research suggests rates as high as 21% when broader definitions of sexual coercion are used
- Approximately 70% of sexual assaults between inmates result in physical injury
- In adult male facilities, staff perpetrate a significant portion of sexual abuse
- Inmates with mental illness face substantially higher risks—those with serious psychological distress report sexual victimization at rates of 6.3% compared to 0.7% for those without mental illness
- Gang-affiliated inmates are more likely to be perpetrators of sexual violence
Preventing Prison Sexual Assault
While individual inmates have limited power to protect themselves, systemic changes can reduce sexual violence:
- Better screening: Identifying vulnerable inmates and potential predators during intake
- Housing decisions: Separating high-risk populations from predatory individuals
- Eliminating blind spots: Improving camera coverage and supervision in high-risk areas
- Staff training: Educating corrections officers to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately
- Enforcement of PREA standards: Holding facilities accountable through audits and compliance reviews
- Prison culture change: Breaking down the code of silence that protects perpetrators
- Access to reporting: Creating safe, confidential ways for victims to report without fear of retaliation
If You’re Going to Prison: What You Need to Know
If you or someone you know is facing incarceration, understanding the reality can help with preparation:
- Prison camps vs. penitentiaries: Minimum-security prison camps have significantly lower rates of violence and sexual assault than higher-security facilities
- Stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with limited supervision like bathrooms, closets, and recreation areas
- Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with PREA protections before arrival
- Report immediately: Despite the risks, reporting to trusted staff or PREA coordinators is important for your safety and medical care
- Document injuries: Seek medical attention and ensure incidents are documented
- Stay connected: Maintain contact with family, legal representation, and outside support systems
Resources like the Federal Prison Handbook can provide valuable information about navigating the prison system, though nothing fully prepares you for the reality of incarceration.
Final Thoughts from a Survivor
I’m sharing my story because too many men suffer in silence. The shame and stigma around male sexual assault—especially in prison—keeps victims isolated and perpetrators protected. But we need to talk about this.
Sexual assault in prison is not an inevitable part of punishment. It’s a human rights violation that creates trauma extending far beyond prison walls. Victims carry this trauma into our communities, affecting our families, our relationships, and our ability to successfully reintegrate into society.
If you’re a survivor reading this, please know: what happened to you was not your fault. Your masculinity is not diminished by being victimized. You deserve support, healing, and justice. Reach out for help—whether that’s therapy, support groups, or just talking to someone who understands. You don’t have to carry this alone.
And to those who have never experienced incarceration: please understand that sexual violence in prison is not a joke or an acceptable part of punishment. Every person deserves to be safe from sexual assault, regardless of what crime they’ve committed. When we accept prison rape as normal or inevitable, we perpetuate a cycle of trauma and violence that ultimately harms all of society.
