Incarceration Rates and Traits of Sexual Minorities in the United States: National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012

Abstract

Objectives To report characteristics of sexual minority US inmates. Methods We drew our data from the National Inmate Survey, 2011–2012, a probability sample of inmates in US prisons and jails. We determined weighted proportions and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to estimate differences between sexual minority and heterosexual inmates. Results Sexual minorities (those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or report a same-sex sexual experience before arrival at the facility) were disproportionately incarcerated: 9.3% of men in prison, 6.2% of men in jail, 42.1% of women in prison, and 35.7% of women in jail were sexual minorities. The incarceration rate of self-identified lesbian, gay, or bisexual persons was 1882 per 100 000, more than 3 times that of the US adult population. Compared with straight inmates, sexual minorities were more likely to have been sexually victimized as children, to have been sexually victimized while incarcerated, to have experienced solitary confinement and other sanctions, and to report current psychological distress. Conclusions There is disproportionate incarceration, mistreatment, harsh punishment, and sexual victimization of sexual minority inmates, which calls for special public policy and health interventions.

Injustice in the Justice System: Reforming Inequities for True “Justice for All”

“…An analysis of 2014 data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that Black women had 1.6 to 4.1 times more likelihood of incarceration than White women (Carson, 2015). Sexual minorities are significantly overrepresented amid those who are incarcerated, comprising 42.1% of all incarcerated women (Meyer et al, 2017). Of transgender women, nearly one in five (19.3%) experienced incarceration, and 41.6% among these were transgender Women of Color (Reisner, Bailey, & Sevelius, 2014).…”

Examination of multilevel domains of minority stress: Implications for drug use and mental and physical health among Latina women who have sex with women and men

“…One of the proposed mechanisms by which same sex sexual behavior is associated with deleterious health outcomes is increased exposure to interpersonal stress and stressful life events. The minority stress model posits that members of highly stigmatized groups experience chronically high levels of stress resulting from discrimination (e.g., overt, internalized), disproportionate exposure to stressful life events (e.g., violent victimization, criminal justice involvement), and low socioeconomic status [20][21][22]. The burden of these stressors can lead to negative health outcomes, such as higher mortality rates, as well as the use of negative coping behaviors like substance use [20][21][22].…”

“…The minority stress model posits that members of highly stigmatized groups experience chronically high levels of stress resulting from discrimination (e.g., overt, internalized), disproportionate exposure to stressful life events (e.g., violent victimization, criminal justice involvement), and low socioeconomic status [20][21][22]. The burden of these stressors can lead to negative health outcomes, such as higher mortality rates, as well as the use of negative coping behaviors like substance use [20][21][22]. It is imperative to acknowledge the complex nature of health disparities that span multi-level domains of influence and extend the focus beyond the individual to value the importance of social and structural factors [23,24].…”

“…There is research to suggest that sexual minority women, in general, are negatively impacted by key structural determinants of health, such as involvement with the criminal justice system, un/under employment, and poverty, as well as interpersonal determinants, such as violence and discrimination. For example, a disproportionate number of sexual minority women are incarcerated-42.1% of women in prison and 35.7% in jail [25]. These women not only report harsher punishment while incarcerated, but also have longer sentences [19], greater psychological distress, and histories of sexual victimization [25].…”

“…For example, a disproportionate number of sexual minority women are incarcerated-42.1% of women in prison and 35.7% in jail [25]. These women not only report harsher punishment while incarcerated, but also have longer sentences [19], greater psychological distress, and histories of sexual victimization [25]. The National Violence Against Women survey found that 35.4% of women reporting a history of cohabitation with a same-sex partner had experienced physical abuse in their lifetimes.…”