Female inmates' perspectives toward consensual same-sex sexual relationships in an Israeli prison

Abstract

Consensual same-sex sexual relationships in female prisons have long been of interest to researchers, and most of the research in the subject has been conducted in US prisons. This study aims to continue this course of research in a female prison in Israel, where same-sex sexual relationships among female inmates have so far been overlooked. Particularly, the study aims to examine female inmates' attitudes toward same-sex sexual relations in prison and their motivations to engage in such relationships. The findings of this study reveal that: (1) Israeli female inmates perceive consensual same-sex sexual relationships in prison as a frequent phenomenon.(2) Although the inmates claim that consensual same-sex sexual relations are frequent in prison, most of them express negative attitudes toward these relationships.(3) Consensual same-sex sexual relationships of inmates who serve short-term sentences are perceived by their peers as based on economic exploitation; in contrast, consensual sexual relationships of long-term inmates are deemed to be based on love and companionship. Implications of these findings are discussed.

A Warm Touch in a Cold Cell

“…Hence, the isolation of incarceration has a negative effect on the inmates' emotional stability and their mental health. Furthermore, female inmates engage in same-sex sexual relationships in prisons to decrease their pains of imprisonment, particularly deprivation of heterosexual relationships and loneliness (Einat & Chen, 2012aKoscheski, Hensley, Wright, & Tewksbury, 2002;Larsen & Nelson, 1984;Owen, 1998). It should be noted that same-sex relationships in prison bring psychological and instrumental benefits, such as affection, companionship, and sexual gratification (Powell & Nolan, 2003;Severance, 2004).…”

“…The mean age of the participants was approximately 36.75 years (SD = 12.32), compared with 38.1 years of the prison population (Einat & Chen, 2012a). Of the interviewees, 62.5% (n = 5) were married and 37.5% (n = 3) were either divorced or widows but had a significant other (compared with 52.5% single, 28% divorced, and 19.5% married of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a). Six female inmates (75%) had children (compared with 61% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a).…”

“…Of the interviewees, 62.5% (n = 5) were married and 37.5% (n = 3) were either divorced or widows but had a significant other (compared with 52.5% single, 28% divorced, and 19.5% married of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a). Six female inmates (75%) had children (compared with 61% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a). Of those surveyed, 87.5% (n = 7) were jailed for the first time (compared with 48% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a); four inmates were lifetimers and another four were sentenced to prison terms of 15 years or more (compared with 2.7% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a), and the mean months served in prison was approximately 62 months (SD = 84.70).…”

“…Six female inmates (75%) had children (compared with 61% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a). Of those surveyed, 87.5% (n = 7) were jailed for the first time (compared with 48% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a); four inmates were lifetimers and another four were sentenced to prison terms of 15 years or more (compared with 2.7% of the prison population; Einat & Chen, 2012a), and the mean months served in prison was approximately 62 months (SD = 84.70). All participants have been labelled by a nonidentifying letter.…”

Situating the Self in Prison Research

“…In women's prisons, however, sexuality is significant. Since the early 20th century and up to the present day, sexual and romantic relation-ships between women prisoners have been a preoccupying theme for researchers (inter alia, Einat & Chen, 2012;Freedman, 1996;Giallombardo, 1966;Howe, 1994;Otis, 1913;Severance, 2008;Ward & Kassebaum, 1965), and gay and bisexual-identified women represent a significant minority of prison officers. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) staff group is active and visible.…”