Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Smykla, John Ortiz

Abstract

In 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act to address the problem of sexual violence in prison. Although research has shed light on the prevalence and incidence of sexual violence in U.S. prisons, few studies examine inmates’ perceptions of rape and safety from rape in prison. This study examined rape perceptions and the likelihood to seek mental health treatment in prison of three distinct groups of male inmates who are at greater risk of sexual victimization or exposure to sexual violence while incarcerated: gay and bisexual inmates, inmates with a juvenile incarceration history, and inmates who were first incarcerated in the adult criminal justice system during adolescence or emerging adulthood. This study examined the relationships between sexual orientation and inmates’ perceptions of the threat of rape and seeking of mental health treatment in prison. Data from 409 incarcerated men residing in 23 maximum security correctional institutions revealed that gay and bisexual inmates were significantly more likely than straight inmates to fear the threat of rape and to voluntarily request mental health treatment in prison. Incarcerated men with a history of childhood abuse were significantly more likely than inmates without an abuse history to fear the threat of rape. Having a history of childhood sexual abuse, identifying as black, and being incarcerated for longer than 18 years also significantly predicted increased likelihood to voluntarily request mental health treatment in prison. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Extent

98 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00004624

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS