I have chosen Prison Sexuality and I plan on adding to the history and development of homosexuality in these prisons. I will also add more information on the different types of relationships that can exist in the prisons.
Different levels of relationships exist in between females in prison (and female juvenile facilities), such as "friendship, pseudofamily membership, pseudohomosexuality, and overt homosexuality".[1] In 1965, Ward and Kassebaum conducted research in Frontera through questionnaires and concluded from staff and inmates that "between 30% and 75% of the inmates had sexual affairs while in prison", 50% of those engaging in same-sex sexual activity. Sexual intercourse between two women was typically for fun and may have turned into a serious relationship. Furthermore, these relationships occurred between women who were housed together or between women of different races; same-race relations are not as typical.[1] After a survey taken in a study conducted by Propper in 1976, his results for reasons for homosexual relationships include "game playing, economic manipulation, loneliness, the need for companionship, and genuine affection" [1].
Some explanations for prison sexuality include the social constructionist theory by Groth. He implies that sexuality is not only an "inherent part" of a person but also that it may be a "construct of that person’s society".[2] Additionally, he mentions that you cannot classify the prisoners sexuality as heterosexual or homosexual during their prison time because it could not be accurate; their sexuality is on hold meanwhile because they act rather on personal needs than interpersonal needs. This, however does not fully conclude that this is the sole reason for prison relationships because they also feel the genuine connection that can turn into a serious relationship[1].
Bibliography
CHRISTOPHER HENSLEY, & RICHARD TEWKSBURY. (2002). Inmate-to-Inmate Prison Sexuality : A Review of Empirical Studies. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 3(3), 226-243. doi:10.1177/15248380020033005
Gibson, Lauren E., and Christopher Hensley. 2013. "The Social Construction of Sexuality in Prison." The Prison Journal 93 (3): 355.
Timbre Wulf-Ludden. (2016) Pseudofamilies, Misconduct, and the Utility of General Strain Theory in a Women's Prison. Women & Criminal Justice 26:4, pages 233-259.
Ideas: -Prisoner types of relationships and how they develop -Why does the need to engage in sexual activities allow these heterosexuals to become homosexual?
Timbre article for relationships, such as family life and why they form pseudofamilies.