ABSTRACT
Prisons are dangerous, forboding places where humans are locked up and are forced to behave in ways they would not if they were free. Prison by-products, namely rape, other forms of prison violence and disease, help to accomplish the societal goal of punishing criminals by making the convict's life a living hell. Even though it is a basic human function and need, sexual activity in prison is prohibited for most inmates. Another sexual option for aggressively violent inmates is coerced homosexual contact, in its most extreme form commonly called "prison rape". Prisoner rape spreads disease, both inside the prison and back into American communities, as infected inmates return and shares their afflictions with others. Largely in response to growing media coverage of prison rape issues and cases, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate unanimously passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. The United States boasts a strong heritage as a racist and violent society.
