Protection, Neglection, or Harm? An Examination of Formerly Incarcerated LGBTQ+ People’s Experiences with Correctional Staff

• In Event: LGBTQIA2S+ Justice-Involved Folx

Abstract

LGBTQ+ people encounter unequal treatment at every stage of the system; however, knowledge of the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people who have interacted with the system is limited. One area that has received little attention is the interactions between incarcerated LGBTQ+ people and correctional staff. Given the elevated risk of victimization in correctional environments for LGBTQ+ people, staff can play an integral role in the protection of this marginalized population. However, anecdotal accounts and limited empirical scholarship indicate that correctional staff may contribute to the negative carceral experiences among LGBTQ+ people. This project seeks to expand our understanding of the interactions between correctional staff and LGBTQ+ people through a qualitative analysis of 25 in-depth interviews with formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people. This study investigates how LGBTQ+ people’s identities impacted their experiences with the correctional system, with a particular focus on their experiences and perceptions of staff. Preliminary findings demonstrate that formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ people had negative interactions with correctional staff, especially once the staff was aware of their LGBTQ+ identity. Findings also underscore the recommendations made by LGBTQ+ people to improve the correctional system with an emphasis on the role of correctional staff in creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ people.

Author

• Skyler Morgan, California State University, Long Beach