A woman with her eyes closed leaning against a chain linked fence

Being imprisoned doesn’t mean being totally powerless. Your human rights deserve protection at all times and under all circumstances, including your right to be free of sexual assault.

The following article contains potentially disturbing statistics and facts about prisoner sexual assault. Prisoners have the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, including sexual assault or abuse. Prisoner sexual assault is any act of sexual abuse or harassment committed against an individual who is incarcerated. It may involve acts committed by other inmates, prison staff, or both.

Top 40 Under 40

Current and former prisoners have the right to file a lawsuit for sexual assault. You are entitled to protection from mistreatment while in custody, and have the right to seek legal remedies for the harms you’ve suffered. Those remedies could involve compensation for medical treatment, inability or reduced ability to work, and support services following an assault.

At The Pride Law Firm, we have helped formerly incarcerated individuals pursue justice, and are ready to represent you too. If you were sexually assaulted or harassed while in jail or prison, contact Jessica Pride at (619) 516-8166 to explore your options. Taking legal action can help you heal, and help prevent such assaults from happening to others who are still behind prison walls.

Read on for statistics and facts related to prisoner sexual abuse, and how a personal injury attorney can help you take legal action.

Statistics on Sexual Assault in California Prisons

Obtaining accurate and up-to-date statistics on prison sexual assault in the United States can be challenging due to underreporting and variations in data collection methods. However, here are some recent statistics compiled by Western Washington University (WWU):

  • In one year there were over 24,000 allegations of sexual assault and harassment by inmates. Of those which were substantiated with additional evidence, 58% were perpetrated by inmates and 42% by prison staff.
  • Inmate-on-inmate assaults are 38% higher in private prisons than in public ones. Additionally, individuals are twice as likely to report sexual abuse from guards or staff in private vs. public prisons.
  • While female inmates make up only 7% of the total prison population, women represent a disproportionate percentage of sexual assaults — 22% of all inmate-on-inmate sexual assaults, and 33% of all staff-on-inmate sexual victimizations.

It is important to note that sexual abuse in prisons is significantly underreported, and the actual rates may be higher than these figures. Fear of retaliation, shame, lack of trust, and concerns about the effectiveness of reporting systems contribute to underreporting.

Authorities try to dismiss the above data, saying that up to 66% of incidents of sexual misconduct by prison staff involve sexual relationships with inmates who “appeared to be willing.” That is simply not possible. The power imbalance between an imprisoned person and the guard who has control over their food, sanitation, and safety cannot lead to a willing, consensual sexual act.

All sexual interactions between prison staff and inmates are unacceptable violations. If you’ve experienced prison sexual assault, contact Jessica Pride today at (619) 516-8166 to review your legal options.