Academic calls for freer sex rules in Thai jails

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Academic calls for freer sex rules in Thai jails
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Sex among prison inmates is controlled in Thailand under strict regulations, but inevitably there is involvement between individuals and the issue needs to be dealt with more seriously, a recent Bangkok seminar on the subject was told.

It heard, for example, how prisons in some foreign countries allow well-behaved detainees annual private times with their partners.

The event discussed research by a Mahidol University lecturer entitled "Sex in Prison", which gives jaw-dropping but realistic details of how Thai prisoners deal with their natural impulses during lengthy jail terms. The subject is so taboo in Thailand that there have been only four research papers and a book on the subject since 2000, when the first paper was completed.

The five papers, including "Sex in Prison", reveal that sex among inmates does occur "technically illegally" behind prison walls, in Bangkok and other unspecified provinces, both in men's and women's facilities, although it is not allowed "by the book". Many inmates, of both sexes, are not homosexual but made to perform passive roles with same-sex partners, said the research, made public to the seminar by Assoc Prof Siriwan Kraisurapong.

Male heterosexual inmates date openly gay men, or make men of their choice their "wives", while female heterosexual inmates perform a masculine role and date female partners. Such gay female inmates are called "men", not the generic title of "tomboys" used in the outside world. Masculine homosexuals of both sexes retain their regular roles in the prisons, and inmates in all types of relationship engage in love triangles or jealous rage like people outside, the research said.

Sex activities practised are oral sex in males and females and sodomy in males. Sexual acts are returned with an exchange of money, items, protection and simply gratification. Sex in prison is used as an emotional tool to cope with natural demands and allow inmates to pride themselves on "personal freedom from house rules", the research said.

There are modifications, including enlargement and beautification of sex organs mostly among male inmates, and traditional body tattoos. Objects made from plastic or soda bottles are commonly adapted - in the belief they increase sexual arousal in women.

Thailand and its correctional authorities have no policies for allowing inmates to have sex or any activity openly to release their urges, which may result in violent fights stemming from attempted rape and resistance from the unwilling, or the spread of Aids and venereal diseases through secret unprotected sex, the research said.

Sex in prison can be adopted positively to help prisoners cope with their impulses through good management, and consent of participating partners. "The chance should be open [for sex in prisons in Thailand]," said Siriwan.

The research cites permission granted for sex in prison in unspecified countries and condoms being made available for inmates. Well-behaved inmates of both sexes in prisons in certain foreign countries are granted two days a year to meet with their spouses or partners in private, or inmate partners can have their private times together.

"Sex is human nature, but in Thailand prisoners are deemed to deserve to be restricted totally from everything. Think about an inmate serving a 20-year term with total absence of sex - this means his/her basic rights will be lost throughout," said Siriwan.


-- The Nation 2014-03-24

[Seastallion]

1. You lose some of your rights when you commit a crime and are incarcerated.

2. Monks seem to be able to cope (most of them, anyway).

[chooka]

What about us married guys, where is our support? We haven't even broken any laws but once you sign that form zap, sex is gone.

[noitom]

Sex is "taboo" for discussion in Thailand. Prison or outside. This is a major hypocrisy in Thailand and about its people. The Thai sex trade is the largest in the world and a major element of its economy, yet sex and the sex trade is never discussed openly in Thailand. When Thailand faces reality about this and everything else, then it can change. Denial gets no where. Until Thailand freely discusses sex trade and sex instead of closing it off as a "taboo." then it will deny the truth about every discussion on the economy and society.

[tezzainoz]

What about us married guys, where is our support? We haven't even broken any laws but once you sign that form zap, sex is gone.

solution to that is

Have a job where you work with beautiful young Thai girls

My thai wife makes sure I am not capable of another time before I go to work

then she feels safe when I go to my job

If I am on holidays and not have to work

then no sex

so you work it out

[PatOngo]

PTP seem resigned to the fact that some of their number will end up doing time. Pre planning!

[Jessi]

What about us married guys, where is our support? We haven't even broken any laws but once you sign that form zap, sex is gone.

chooka, you crack me up at times.

[Jessi]

Its good to see Thailand have got this problem sorted.................

[robertthebruce]

Remind me never to go to Prison...

[expat888]

I think this is a TAT advertisement. What will make the headlines is "freer sex rules".

[Morakot]

sodomy

What century were these papers published again?

[MMarlow]

sodomy

What century were these papers published again?

21st. What makes you ask?

[ginjag]

1. You lose some of your rights when you commit a crime and are incarcerated.

2. Monks seem to be able to cope (most of them, anyway).

2, could be a few. it's natural we have no idea if it is rampant or not, I would guess they enjoy like most of us in some way or another.

[kamahele]

I think something can be said for allowing sex in prison and conjugal visits in order to decrease tension and aggression.

[ginjag]

Remind me never to go to Prison...

Sounds like they get more than you, but maybe they have to close their eyes and think of Thailand

[Morakot]

sodomy

What century were these papers published again?

21st. What makes you ask?

A profound concern for adequate descriptions of the criminal justice process that is not distorted by underlying moralization, which is out of context of the socio-legal reality of contemporary Thai society and the wider social consensus.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Morakot

[ginjag]

What about us married guys, where is our support? We haven't even broken any laws but once you sign that form zap, sex is gone.

chooka, you crack me up at times.

Reminds me of courting days, you could have all the breasts at any time, but as soon as she gets the ring on the finger it's SORRY they're for the kids.

On topic, I think controlled visits is good for the prisons for less agro, and for the prisoners, why should you lose your loved ones because you are serving for your wrong doings.

[Traveller45]

...must be pretty bad in prison. All that stuff, the prison hierarchy, what the others do to you when the guards don't look, that is part of the deterrence. Better not have to go there. What surprises me still is the number of male inmates who seem to suddenly turn homosexual, when they never have been so before. I mean, no offense here to somebody's sexual orientation, but yuck! By nature there is a threshold of only 5% or so of a given population. I understand that the passive partners, the "wives", have often no choice. But the active ones?

[ginjag]

...must be pretty bad in prison. All that stuff, the prison hierarchy, what the others do to you when the guards don't look, that is part of the deterrence. Better not have to go there. What surprises me still is the number of male inmates who seem to suddenly turn homosexual, when they never have been so before. I mean, no offense here to somebody's sexual orientation, but yuck! By nature there is a threshold of only 5% or so of a given population. I understand that the passive partners, the "wives", have often no choice. But the active ones?

Think you could double your 5%. If they enjoy and there is no force why not weather they be Homo or Hetro, YUCK maybe what you may see as not your style, fine. remember your not there, and after years you MAY think differently-maybe not, but unless you are in that situ you could never be tested.

[robertthebruce]

HIV must be rife in Prison, with all what goes on, plus the drugs, sharing needles etc etc..

Sad....Life we never know whats around the corner....

[h90]

Sex is "taboo" for discussion in Thailand. Prison or outside. This is a major hypocrisy in Thailand and about its people. The Thai sex trade is the largest in the world and a major element of its economy, yet sex and the sex trade is never discussed openly in Thailand. When Thailand faces reality about this and everything else, then it can change. Denial gets no where. Until Thailand freely discusses sex trade and sex instead of closing it off as a "taboo." then it will deny the truth about every discussion on the economy and society.

yes but that wouldn't hinder in that case.

Giving the prisoners some private time to be alone with their partner doesn't mention sex at all....It is up to them if they use the time to play some chess or have sex....

[Chris Lawrence]

One friend' observation was that a person spent more than 2 years in prison, they have already been on a date while inside.

[Seastallion]

sodomy

What century were these papers published again?

21st. What makes you ask?

A profound concern for adequate descriptions of the criminal justice process that is not distorted by underlying moralization, which is out of context of the socio-legal reality of contemporary Thai society and the wider social consensus.

Sodomy is the proper term. What term do you think is more appropriate?

[Chupup]

What about us married guys, where is our support? We haven't even broken any laws but once you sign that form zap, sex is gone.

chooka, you crack me up at times.

Reminds me of courting days, you could have all the breasts at any time, but as soon as she gets the ring on the finger it's SORRY they're for the kids.

On topic, I think controlled visits is good for the prisons for less agro, and for the prisoners, why should you lose your loved ones because you are serving for your wrong doings.

Methinks ginjag i have heard that saying before, on topic.....just what are your "loved ones " doing while you are doing your time, anyway so long as you have one or both your hands............ ..

[uptheos]

Its good to see Thailand have got this problem sorted.................

Now the country can finally move forward.

[GentlemanJim]

Perhaps before they consider any step to make sexual gratification easier in prisons, they should first find a mechanism to protect vulnerable prisoners from constant sexual abuse whilst in prison. Rape is rape and those who commit rape need removing from the environment, so in this case, solitary confinement for the remainder of their prison sentence. The freedom to commit open sexual abuse (often violent) in prisons can make a 20 yr sentence much more manageable for those conducting it and can make even a 1 year sentence seem like a life sentence for the victims of such abuse.

I was kind of interested in what the author of the study was saying until his final statement where he thinks the 'basic rights' of the prisoners are being denied because they cannot have sex with spouses or partners. The chances are that they are doing a 20 year stretch because they denied their victims any basic rights when they committed the crimes that put them in prison in the first place. Sex does not just fulfil a basic primitive gratification, it fills the void of warmth, love, belonging, compassion and happiness, all emotions and feelings that many of the prisoners have given up their rights to when they killed, murdered, robbed, raped their victims.

I imagine prison guards are desperate for such a law to be passed. The subsequent 'sex for the well behaved' would be so open to financial abuse that many guards would be assured of new cars and many prisoners would get more sex than they ever did on the outside. What else apart from food is there to spend your hard earned prison cash on!

[Dogmatix]

1. You lose some of your rights when you commit a crime and are incarcerated.

2. Monks seem to be able to cope (most of them, anyway).

But monks can leave any time they want and most only stay for two weeks anyway.

[Dogmatix]

Perhaps before they consider any step to make sexual gratification easier in prisons, they should first find a mechanism to protect vulnerable prisoners from constant sexual abuse whilst in prison. Rape is rape and those who commit rape need removing from the environment, so in this case, solitary confinement for the remainder of their prison sentence. The freedom to commit open sexual abuse (often violent) in prisons can make a 20 yr sentence much more manageable for those conducting it and can make even a 1 year sentence seem like a life sentence for the victims of such abuse.

I was kind of interested in what the author of the study was saying until his final statement where he thinks the 'basic rights' of the prisoners are being denied because they cannot have sex with spouses or partners. The chances are that they are doing a 20 year stretch because they denied their victims any basic rights when they committed the crimes that put them in prison in the first place. Sex does not just fulfil a basic primitive gratification, it fills the void of warmth, love, belonging, compassion and happiness, all emotions and feelings that many of the prisoners have given up their rights to when they killed, murdered, robbed, raped their victims.

I imagine prison guards are desperate for such a law to be passed. The subsequent 'sex for the well behaved' would be so open to financial abuse that many guards would be assured of new cars and many prisoners would get more sex than they ever did on the outside. What else apart from food is there to spend your hard earned prison cash on!

You can imagine a steady process of "wives" visiting the prisoners with money who are running protection rackets and drug rings from inside the jail, while the ordinary prisoners' real wives would never be allowed in at all.

[Dogmatix]

I read an article that said some lady boys enjoy being in the men's prisons so much that they re-offend quickly to get back inside. The men's prison is the only place where they are treated like real ladies and they make loads of money. Unfortunately most of them contract HIV in prison, if they didn't have it already but they don't think too much about that.

[Emster23]

Sex is almost never free anywhere, there are always some sort of strings attached. How about some sort of half way step, like a "Wank tank" where inmates could "relieve" that pressure? Stock appropriate videos and such.