Citation

Wolff N, Jing Shi. J. Correct. Health Care 2009; 15(1): 58-77.

Affiliation

Center for Mental Health Services and Criminal Justice Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. nwolff@ifh.rutgers.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078345808326622

PMID

19477812

PMCID

PMC2811042

Abstract

Physical and sexual assault are part of the prison experience. Approximately 21% of male inmates are physically assaulted during a 6-month period. Sexual assault is estimated at between 2% and 5%. Although prevalence evidence is growing, less is known about circumstances surrounding and resulting from these incidents. This article presents an analysis of approximately 2,200 physical and 200 sexual victimizations reported by a random sample of 6,964 male inmates. Physical injury occurred in 40% of physical assaults and 70% of sexual assaults between inmates and in 50% of assaults perpetrated by staff. Emotional reactions to assaults were experienced by virtually all victims. Context information is vital in the development and implementation of prevention and therapeutic interventions.

Language: en