Committee Chair

Hensley, Christopher L.

Committee Member

Eigenberg, Helen; Love, Sharon Redhawk

Department

Dept. of Criminal Justice and Legal Assistant Studies

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Prison sex research has generally followed an essentialist theoretical approach. Only Alarid (2000) examined jail sex using a social constructionist approach to understanding sexuality behind bars. Using data collected from 142 male inmates in a Southern maximumsecurity correctional facility, the purpose of the present study was to examine whether engaging in sexual behavior affects a change in the sexual orientation of male prison inmates, using a social constructionist theoretical approach. In addition, the influence of several sociodemographic and situational variables on the change in sexual orientation was examined. The only statistically significant variable associated with a change in sexual orientation was engaging in homosexual behavior. Inmates were over 52 times more likely to change their sexual orientation if they engaged in homosexual activity while incarcerated, supporting the social constructionist theoretical approach.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

8-2011

Subject

Homosexuality; Prisoners -- Sexual behavior; Social constructionism

Location

Southern States

Keyword

Prison sex; Sexual orientation

Discipline

Criminology and Criminal Justice | Legal Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Document Type

Masters theses

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

vii, 47 leaves

Language

English

Rights

https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Download

Share

COinS