A Qualitative Study of Substance Use and Sexual Behavior Among 18- to 29-Year-Old Men While Incarcerated in the United States

Abstract

The article describes men's perceptions of and experience with substance use and sexual behavior during incarceration. Grounded theory content analyses were performed on qualitative interviews conducted with 80 men, aged 18 to 29, in four U.S. states. Participants believed that drugs were easily available in prison. Half reported using substances, primarily marijuana or alcohol, while incarcerated. Key themes included the role of correctional personnel in the flow of substances in prison and the economic significance of substance trafficking. With regard to sexual behavior, most men acknowledged that it occurred but were hesitant to talk in-depth about it. There was a strong belief in "don't look, don't tell," and sex in prison was often associated with homosexual behavior or identity. Sex during incarceration was reported by 12 men, mostly with female partners. Participants were pessimistic about HIV/STD/hepatitis prevention efforts inside correctional facilities. These findings highlight the need for risk reduction programs for incarcerated men.

Substance Use and Sexual Behavior during Incarceration among 18- to 29-Year Old Men: Prevalence and Correlates

“…A number of recent studies also have documented the occurrence of sexual behavior among men during incarceration in the United States (Beck & Harrison, 2006;Belenko, Langley, Crimmins, & Chaple, 2004;CDC, 2001a;Clarke et al, 2001;Hensley, Tewksbury, & Wright, 2001;Krebs & Simmons, 2002;Moseley & Tewksbury, 2006;Seal et al, 2004;Stephens, Cozza, & Braithwaite, 1999;Struckman-Johnson, StruckmanJohnson, Rucker, Bumby, & Donaldson, 1996;Wohl et al, 2000). Research indicates that sexual behavior in correctional settings can involve incarcerated and nonincarcerated persons, can involve male and female partners, and can range from non-coercive to assaultive (Belenko et al, 2004;Seal et al, 2004;StruckmanJohnson et al, 1996).…”

“…Research indicates that sexual behavior in correctional settings can involve incarcerated and nonincarcerated persons, can involve male and female partners, and can range from non-coercive to assaultive (Belenko et al, 2004;Seal et al, 2004;StruckmanJohnson et al, 1996). Data also suggest that there is considerable variation in the range and frequency of sexual behavior across different correctional settings.…”

“…Research has further indicated that the use of drugs or alcohol during incarceration is widespread, and the majority of men who use substances do so on multiple occasions Clarke et al, 2001;Inciardi, Lockwood, & Quinlan, 1993;Kang et al, 2005;Krebs & Simmons, 2002;Seal et al, 2004;Stephens et al, 1999;Wohl et al, 2000). Marijuana and alcohol are the most universally used substances in correctional facilities.…”

“…Most studies also have documented the use of other drugs, including those which are injected, although the prevalence of drug use other than marijuana varies considerably across regions and types of correctional facilities. Among men who inject drugs while incarcerated in the United States, needle sharing is common, while needle cleaning behavior is rare Inciardi et al, 1993;Kang et al, 2005;Seal et al, 2004).…”

Prisoners' insomnia: to treat or not to treat? Medical decision-making in places of detention

“…Concerning the risk that medication might be sold, the evidence is that even in the most severely controlled places of detention, illegal drugs circulate or detainees manufacture their own, often very toxic substances (Seal et al, 2004). Both types of products are more dangerous to the health of those who take them than typical prescribed hypnotics that they might be able to buy from other inmates.…”