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Incarceration rates and traits of sexual minorities in the United States: National inmate survey, 2011-2012

Author

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  • Meyer, I.H.
  • Flores, A.R.
  • Stemple, L.
  • Romero, A.P.
  • Wilson, B.D.M.
  • Herman, J.L.

Abstract

Objectives. To report characteristics of sexual minority US inmates. Methods. We drew our data from the National Inmate Survey, 2011-2012, a probability sample of inmates in US prisons and jails. We determined weighted proportions and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to estimate differences between sexual minority and heterosexual inmates. Results. Sexual minorities (those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or report a same-sex sexual experience before arrival at the facility) were disproportionately incarcerated: 9.3% of men in prison, 6.2% of men in jail, 42.1% of women in prison, and 35.7% of women in jail were sexual minorities. The incarceration rate of self-identified lesbian, gay, or bisexual persons was 1882 per 100 000, more than 3 times that of the US adult population. Compared with straight inmates, sexual minorities were more likely to have been sexually victimized as children, to have been sexually victimized while incarcerated, to have experienced solitary confinement and other sanctions, and to report current psychological distress. Conclusions. There is disproportionate incarceration, mistreatment, harsh punishment, and sexual victimization of sexual minority inmates, which calls for special public policy and health interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Meyer, I.H. & Flores, A.R. & Stemple, L. & Romero, A.P. & Wilson, B.D.M. & Herman, J.L., 2017. "Incarceration rates and traits of sexual minorities in the United States: National inmate survey, 2011-2012," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(2), pages 267-273.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303576_2
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303576
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    Cited by:

    1. English, Devin & Carter, Joseph A. & Bowleg, Lisa & Malebranche, David J. & Talan, Ali J. & Rendina, H. Jonathon, 2020. "Intersectional social control: The roles of incarceration and police discrimination in psychological and HIV-related outcomes for Black sexual minority men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Tyler D. Harvey & Ijeoma Opara & Emily A. Wang, 2022. "Role of the Intersections of Gender, Race and Sexual Orientation in the Association between Substance Use Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Infections in a National Sample of Adults with Recent Crimi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Danielle M. Shields, 2021. "Stonewalling in the Brick City: Perceptions of and Experiences with Seeking Police Assistance among LGBTQ Citizens," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Harvey, Tyler D. & Keene, Danya E. & Pachankis, John E., 2021. "Minority stress, psychosocial health, and survival among gay and bisexual men before, during, and after incarceration," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    5. Daniela Jauk-Ajamie & Robert L. Peralta & Courtney Michael, 2024. "“Chickens in the Slaughterhouse” Police-Inflicted Trauma and Mental Health Consequences for an Urban African American LGBTQI+ Community," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Gráinne Donohue & Edward McCann & Michael Brown, 2021. "Views and Experiences of LGBTQ+ People in Prison Regarding Their Psychosocial Needs: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Research Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, September.

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