Sexuality, Criminalization, and Social Control

The United States relies heavily on incarceration as a means of social control. Over 2.3 million people are incarcerated, or about one in every 100 adults. The population of females is especially increasing at a fast rate.

There are an abundance of cases of sexual abuse occurring in correctional facilities. These places are continually scrutinizing and sexualizing inmates bodies. They are also known for denying healthcare claims to transgender individuals.

Juvenile's respond to female's same-sex sexuality in three ways. The treat it as a psychological problems stemming from a history of sexual abuse, a temporary stage caused by their experiences within the institution, or a criminal offense that violates "no touching" policies. The juvenile system has a heteronormative framework that  continually discriminates against lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth.

Prison staff facilitates large amounts of sexual abuse. This sexual abuse includes forced sex, exploitative acts, coerced sexual favors, unnecessary strip-searches, and sexualized surveillance. Lack of a response to this problem may be due to alliances between rape crisis centers and the legal system.

Another problem in the system is the denial of medical care to transgender prisoners. Many transgender individuals are placed in facilities based on their birth-assigned gender. As a result of this, many transgender women are placed in men's prisons. They are often denied access to gender-related medical care.

Introduction: Sexuality, Criminalization, and Social Control

Clare Sears

Social Justice; 2010/2011; 37, 1; ProQuest Criminal Justice


Emily Sante