Why may the attitude of prison staff prevent safer sex practices?
Some prison staff try to forbid all sexual activities in order to prevent non-consensual sex; others believe that forbidding sex is the most effective form of prevention, though in practice this is unrealistic. Why do prisoners fail to use condoms? Condoms are not banned in prison, but in practice it is difficult to gain acceptance from prison guards for condom distribution. Some prisoners are unaware of the risk of HIV transmission by anal sex. Others are aware, but are unable to access condoms or to negotiate their use in coercive situations. Being known to have sex or to possess condoms may lead to criticism by prison guards or ostracism by other prisoners. Prisoners may prefer to risk becoming HIV positive than to try to access condoms. Prisoners may believe that having sex with another man is against nature. This leads them to be secretive and have clandestine, unprotected sex. Someone who insists on condom use can give the impression that they are HIV positive or have a sexually
