LGBT Prisoners' Experiences in a Brazilian Male Prison

• In Event: Prison Working Group: Needs, care and risk in the prison context: Challenges and implications

Abstract

Evidence regarding the experiences of the LGBT community in prison settings is limited; most studies are conducted in the US and primarily focus on transgender women. Furthermore, existing research has predominantly examined prisoners' housing, victimization, and healthcare needs. To address this gap, the present study aims to explore the imprisonment experiences of the LGBT community in a Brazilian male prison. Data were collected through interviews with a purposefully selected sample of 10 LGBT inmates at the Provisional Detention Center II in São Paulo state. The results highlight not only the traditional 'pains of imprisonment' faced by these inmates but also the unique challenges experienced by LGBT prisoners. These include instances of LGBT inmates, particularly those with a transfeminine identity, engaging in sex work to acquire resources and experiencing limited access to hormone therapy. Additionally, results indicate that being allocated to specific cells offers greater security due to reduced interaction with heterosexual inmates; however, this does not eliminate other types of conflict. Inmates with a transfeminine identity reported issues with prison staff not using their social names. Furthermore, LGBT inmates face restrictions on sharing personal items (such as glasses and cutlery) with heterosexual inmates. While many findings support the deprivation model, the 'pains of imprisonment' take on different dimensions when considering the specific needs of these inmates. Future studies should aim to provide updated theoretical frameworks that better explain and understand the behaviors of LGBT inmates, moving beyond traditional prison theories that often frame sexual orientation and gender identity within a context of deviance. It is essential to shift the focus of prison studies to view sexual orientation and gender identity as non-deviant factors that significantly influence individuals' experiences with crime and the criminal justice system.
Keywords: LGBT; Imprisonment; Adaptation; Housing; Victimization.

Authors

• Dayanne Jaques do Mont Serrat Andrade, Faculty of Law, University of Porto

• Rita Faria, CIJ - Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Justice, University of Porto

• Miriam Pina, University of Porto