In previous blog posts, I have discussed the unique communities that exist within prison walls. These communities have their own social hierarchies and economy, which is sustained by inmate workers. Inmates are required to work full-time or attend school during the day and socialize in the evenings by hanging out in the recreation yard or watching TV in the dayroom. Although their lives are restricted, inmates attempt to make the most of their time within the prison grounds.
Similar to high school, the social structures in prison are built on money and power. Inmates with money hire workers and bodyguards, while those at the bottom of the hierarchy are categorized as snitches, rapists, or child molesters. Snitches are despised because they cannot be trusted and often cooperate with prison guards. Rapists are unpopular because they abuse women, who are considered sacred to male inmates. However, the lowest of the low are child molesters, and today’s blog post will discuss why they are particularly hated in prison.
Despite the diversity of inmates, similarities exist between prison and the outside world. Money and power are still the driving forces of social hierarchies in both places. However, in prison, the social dynamics are more extreme due to the confined space and heightened levels of violence. Nonetheless, inmates attempt to create a sense of community and belonging within their limited environment.
In this post, I will cover the following topics:
- Child sex offenders are the worst — here’s why
- There are different kinds of sex offenders
Child sex offenders are the worst — here’s why
In prison, the social hierarchy is determined by various factors such as money, power, and reputation. Inmates who have committed crimes such as stealing, murder, drug dealing, and assault may be at the bottom of the social hierarchy, but they are not outcasts. However, there is one crime that is considered to be particularly heinous and is despised by all prisoners – child sex offenses.
Child sex offenders are at the very bottom of the social hierarchy in prison and are often segregated from other inmates for their own safety. According to Leslie Walker, a prisoner’s rights activist with the Massachusetts Correctional Legal Society, child sex offenders are at risk of being murdered, having their food taken, and having their cells defecated and urinated in. Their lives are truly a living hell.
The reason for this intense hatred towards child sex offenders is because many inmates have children or younger siblings, nieces, or nephews. Furthermore, many of them were sexually abused themselves as children and never had the opportunity to fight back. Therefore, prisoners have no sympathy for child sex offenders and will not hesitate to physically harm them.
In prison, even inmates who have committed crimes such as stealing, murder, drug dealing, and assault know the difference between their crimes and those committed by child sex offenders. Sexual offenses against children are considered to be especially heinous, as emphasized in the popular television show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Prisoners are aware of this, just as prosecutors, judges, and jail guards are.
Lt. Ken Lewis, a corrections officer and spokesman at California’s Los Angeles County State Prison, stated that once a child sex offender’s crime is known, they are unlikely to survive without protective custody. Although some child sex offenders may be able to survive in prison as long as they don’t brag about their offense, if they do talk, they are likely to be physically attacked. In some extreme cases, they may even have their throat cut.
In conclusion, prison is a place where various social hierarchies exist. The hierarchy is determined by various factors such as money, power, and reputation. Although inmates who have committed crimes such as stealing, murder, drug dealing, and assault may be at the bottom of the social hierarchy, they are not outcasts. However, child sex offenders are considered to be at the very bottom of the social hierarchy and are despised by all prisoners. Due to the risk of physical harm, child sex offenders are often segregated from other inmates for their own safety.
There are different kinds of sex offenders
The societal stigma against sex offenders is strong, and it’s easy to lump all of them into the same category of “scum of the Earth.” However, there are some people in prison labeled as sex offenders who don’t quite fit the stereotype. For example, some men are serving time for having consensual sex with their teenage significant other while they were a few years older, which technically counts as statutory rape.
Of course, this doesn’t excuse the fact that they broke the law, but it’s important to acknowledge that there are different degrees of severity when it comes to sex crimes. In women’s prisons, there aren’t as many sex offenders, but those who are there usually have committed more severe crimes. However, there are some exceptions to this as well.
One example is a woman named Jane, who was labeled a sex offender after having a one-night stand with someone she met on a dating app. She believed the guy was 18, but he was actually 17, and his parents found out and had her prosecuted. While her actions were questionable, it’s hard to argue that she deserves to carry the label of a sex offender for the rest of her life.
However, there is one type of sex offender that stands out as the worst of the worst: child molesters. In prison, even other inmates who have committed sex crimes don’t want to associate with them. In fact, they’re often targeted for violence and must be kept in protective custody.
Inmates who have children or young relatives are especially likely to hate child molesters, as many of them were victims of sexual abuse themselves and never had the chance to fight back. It’s not uncommon for child molesters to have their food stolen, their cells defecated and urinated in, and to face threats of violence on a daily basis.
Despite the terrible treatment they receive in prison, some child molesters can still manage to make it if they keep their crimes a secret. However, if they brag about their offenses or otherwise draw attention to themselves, they’ll likely face serious consequences, including physical harm.
It’s important to note that not all sex offenders are child molesters, and not all child molesters are the same. Some may have only offended once and deeply regret their actions, while others are serial offenders who will likely never change.
Regardless of the severity of the crime, it’s clear that the label of “sex offender” carries a heavy weight and can drastically impact someone’s life. In some cases, it’s deserved, but in others, it may not be an accurate reflection of the person’s character or actions.
In conclusion, while there are certainly some sex offenders in prison who fit the stereotype of being the “scum of the Earth,” it’s important to acknowledge that there are also those who have been labeled as such for less severe crimes. However, when it comes to child molesters, the hatred and violence they face in prison is a reflection of just how heinous their crimes are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do inmates hate child sex offenders?
Inmates often view child sex offenders as the lowest of the low, even among the prison population. This is because many inmates themselves have children or young family members, and the thought of someone preying on a child is particularly repugnant to them. Additionally, inmates often view child sex offenders as weak and vulnerable targets who are less likely to fight back or defend themselves.
How do inmates treat child sex offenders in prison?
Inmates often subject child sex offenders to various forms of violence, including physical assaults, sexual assaults, and verbal abuse. Child sex offenders are often segregated from the general prison population for their own safety, but even in these special units, they can still face harassment and mistreatment.
Is it legal for inmates to harm child sex offenders in prison?
No, it is not legal for inmates to harm anyone in prison, including child sex offenders. Inmates who engage in violent behavior can face additional criminal charges and longer sentences, and prison staff have a duty to protect all inmates from harm.
What can be done to protect child sex offenders in prison?
Some prisons have special units for child sex offenders, where they can be kept separate from the general population and receive additional protection. In some cases, child sex offenders may also be placed in protective custody, where they are housed separately from other inmates for their own safety. Additionally, some prisons offer rehabilitation programs for sex offenders to address the underlying issues that led to their criminal behavior.
Why are child sex offenders often targeted for violence in prison, while other types of offenders are not?
Child sex offenders are often viewed as the most heinous of all criminals, as they have violated the innocence of children and caused immense harm to their victims. Many inmates feel a sense of moral outrage towards child sex offenders and may feel a sense of duty to take matters into their own hands. Additionally, child sex offenders are often seen as easy targets, as they are less likely to fight back or defend themselves.
Conclusion
Inmates tend to have a strong dislike for child sex offenders, viewing them as the lowest of the low in the prison hierarchy. Child sex offenders are often subjected to various forms of violence, including physical assaults, sexual assaults, and verbal abuse. While it is not legal for inmates to harm anyone in prison, including child sex offenders, prisons may take steps to protect them from harm, such as segregating them from the general population or offering rehabilitation programs. The reason child sex offenders are often targeted for violence is due to the moral outrage inmates feel towards them for violating the innocence of children and the vulnerability of child sex offenders in prison.
