Abstract:
This study explores male inmates’ perceptions of sex and rape in a South African correctional center
(prison). In South Africa, consensual sex between inmates is prohibited by the Department of
Correctional Services and inmates are therefore reluctant to report on such activities. Furthermore,
the prison code of silence and the shame from being the victim of a prison rape make this an
exceptionally challenging topic to research. Despite these challenges, 100 face-to-face interviews
were conducted with male inmates (children, juveniles, and adults) who were either awaiting trial
or already sentenced for a criminal offence. The main focus was on their general viewpoints of consensual
sex between men and prison rape victimization. This study was an exploratory study and
because of the size of the sample this study cannot be generalized. It does, however, offer valuable
insight into the prison subculture’s unwritten rules about sex and rape.
