The impact of drugs on the sexual behavior of incarcerated African-American males

Research purpose. Though African-American males comprise only seven percent of the United States (U.S.) population, they currently represent 50 percent of the male prison population. The few published studies conducted on prison sexual behavior suggest that African-American male inmates are disproportionately involved in high-risk sexual behavior. Very few institutions routinely report information regarding the full range of sexual behavior in their facilities, and virtually nothing is known about drug abuse and its relationship to sexual behavior in this environment. This research study examined the nature of sexual behavior among African-American males in prisons, and the extent to which drug abuse prior to incarceration and within prison is associated with it. This study also explored the extent to which drug abuse is associated with a broad range of prisoner characteristics related to oppressive living conditions in prison (deprivation factors) and prisoner characteristics that were present before entry into prison (importation factors). Methodology. A pre-tested anonymous and confidential self-report questionnaire was administered to 134 incarcerated African-American males housed within a large maximum-security male correctional institution. Results. Because of their involvement in risky sexual behavior and drug use in prison, incarcerated individuals are at an especially high risk of contracting infectious diseases. Six individuals reported being involved in some form of oral or anal sexual activity while incarcerated in the current facility. Two participants, or 1.5 percent, reported being victims of sexual assault. Twenty percent of the participants used drugs in the current facility, and every participant involved in sexual activities in this facility also reported a history of drug use or drug selling. Results from logistic regression models indicated that the odds of using drugs in prison were higher for inmates who had a lengthier history of drug use and those who had been incarcerated longer. Conclusions. Rather than simply prohibiting consensual sexual behavior and drug use, prison populations would be better served by implementing programs designed to address HIV risk-related behaviors. By utilizing a critical period when they are a captive audience, such programs can potentially have a lasting impact on the way in which offenders behave once they are released