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Queer History
Is it Okay to Be Out as Gay or Bisexual in Prison? An Inside Perspective.
Your mileage may vary.
Television shows like Orange is the New Black and Oz brought prison sex and prison relationships into the homes of people across the world. While some things they showed are accurate, many of them are not. I can’t speak about the rules and laws of other countries with any authority, but I can tell you sex in prison is against the law in the United States, whether it’s between inmates or inmates and correctional officers.
I can also tell you it happens in both instances, based on knowledge I’ve gained during my current stint in a state prison.
Relationships are not encouraged, but they’re not typically outright illegal either, unless it’s between inmates and correctional officers. Those are illegal. They’re also not easy, and rarely are they healthy. It’s difficult to cultivate a healthy relationship in a place like prison for several reasons. You or your partner could be moved at any time for any reason. Inmates within the system are not allowed to communicate with one another in any way, not through phone calls or mail. So if you aren’t physically within the same cell block, you won’t be able to be together.
