Rehabilitation Of Prisonersbarrier Posed By System (Press, 12 May 1971)

A recent report highlights persistent issues within New York's prison system, particularly related to homosexual assaults and the implications of the correctional environment on inmates' behaviours and identities. Speaking on the matter, an ex-inmate noted that prison culture resembles a "homosexual world," pointing to the extreme conditions that prisoners face, which previously led to rebellions against their confinement. William van den Heuvel, chairman of the New York City Board of Correction, advocates for a "furlough policy" that would allow prisoners home visits on weekends, arguing that such a policy could alleviate sexual tensions within prisons and maintain prisoners' connections to their families. Experts, including criminologist Gilbert Geis, express concerns that the distorted sexuality experienced in prison not only leads to immediate violence and abuse but also fundamentally alters inmates' sexual perceptions and freedoms. He asserts that the prison system fails to provide inmates opportunities to make choices, crucial for successful reintegration into society. Many prisoners, especially younger ones, may leave prison with a skewed sense of sexuality and identity, shaped by the routines of coercion and deprivation they experience behind bars. Geis details how a 1968 report on the Philadelphia prison system noted approximately 2,000 sexual assaults over two years, indicating a dire situation for young inmates, who are often targeted quickly upon arrival. Various accounts from ex-prisoners recount the range of sexual dynamics, including mock weddings and even guards' complicity in these acts. Proposed reforms struggle to gain traction, with the current practice of "conjugal visits" occurring in only one facility across the United States, while the idea is often met with resistance. Many ex-inmates argue that this approach dehumanises both partners involved. In contrast, an experimental program allowing weekend passes to family members in two Californian institutions is viewed more favourably, with reports from Norway—where similar measures are in effect—suggesting that inmates consistently return after such visits. However, Geis cautions that while the Norwegian approach may hold promise, the cultural and environmental differences between Norway and New York City make direct comparisons challenging. Overall, the need for systemic change within correctional facilities remains pressing, as existing policies continue to contribute to a cycle of trauma and dysfunction among those incarcerated.

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