It is estimated based on previously published surveys that some 80,000 unwanted sexual acts take place behind bars in the United States every day, with a total of 364,000 prisoners raped every year. Long after the body has healed, the emotions remain traumatized, shamed and stigmatized. The psychological effects of prisoner rape can last a lifetime and often lead to substance abuse, domestic violence and much worse. Most prisoners on death row were sexually abused earlier in life. Suicide is the leading cause of death behind bars.
Sexual assault is the leading cause of suicide in confinement.
California leads the nation in prisoner suicides. Besides psychosis and suicide, other side effects of prisoner rape are murder, AIDS , and recidivism. Prisoner rape costs taxpayers dearly in recidivism, health care, and increasing numbers of law suits. The War on Drugs which never, ever had anything to do with health, has greatly exacerbated prisoner rape. Our fact sheet on the fraudulent War on Drugs is available on request.