How to Help a Victim of Prison Rape

Prison is naturally unpleasant-it's supposed to be-but there are some things that happen in prison which aren't supposed to be on the to-do list. Although prisoners are considered wards of the state and don't have the same freedoms as ordinary citizens enjoy, they do have certain rights that must not be compromised. According to SPR.org, most male victims are non-violent offenders who are considered weak and "effeminate". Unfortunately, prison rape is far more common than anyone would like to admit, but how do you help a victim of prison rape?

1- Get the Details

Most prisoners can have visitors during specific hours, so set up a time when you can visit the inmate to collect information. You can't help a victim of prison rape if you don't know the details, so ask your friend or loved one to explain the attack in as much detail as possible. This might be difficult if you are forced to speak in an open area with the prying ears of guards and other inmates, so you might want to bring his or her lawyer along so you can have privacy.

2- Talk to the Warden

Once you have the details of the attack, you'll be better prepared to help a victim of prison rape. Just because he or she is an inmate doesn't mean that justice doesn't apply, so go directly to the warden of the prison with what you've been told. Whether or not the warden will be helpful depends on the prison and the behavior of your friend or loved one, so don't be surprised if your concerns are dismissed. If this is the case, don't bother arguing.

3- File a Complaint

If the warden turns out to be a dead end, you can help a victim of prison rape by assisting him or her with filing an official complaint. This can be done with the prison system itself or with the local police department-you might want to talk to his or her lawyer to ask about the best course of action. An official complaint needs to be typed and have as many details as possible, and the inmate should sign the complaint at the bottom before it is delivered.

4- Request Protective Custody