# Why is porn banned in American prisons? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 29, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185 "2012-10-29T04:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/1 "2012-10-29T04:26:50Z")
I’m unaware if this is the case in all US states and other countries, but from TV shows, books, and personal experience\* I’ve learned that porn is often illegal for an inmate to have. What’s the rationale behind this? I suppose I could see why letting the serial sex offender peruse ultra-violent rape fantasy stuff might be a bad idea, but prison is awful enough without adding unnecessary sexual frustration to the mix. \*from being acquainted with COs; not being a prisoner. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/2 "2012-10-29T04:33:08Z")
You honestly cannot fathom the danger of grouping a large number of violent people together and then sexually arousing them? ---
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/3 "2012-10-29T04:37:56Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > You honestly cannot fathom the danger of grouping a large number of violent people together and then sexually arousing them? I’d be much more concerned about said large number of violent people violently raping other inmates, rather than having to double the number of kleenexes and tube socks issued. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/4 "2012-10-29T04:51:36Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > You honestly cannot fathom the danger of grouping a large number of violent people together and then sexually arousing them? As opposed to grouping a large number of violent people together and trying to ensure they have no way to relive their sexual frustrations? All the evidence seems to be that the availability of porn reduces the likelihood of rape. As for why we do it; I expect it’s more of the whole idea that prison is about punishment and nothing but punishment regardless of whether that makes sense or not. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/5 "2012-10-29T05:01:40Z")
> [@Atakapa](#): > > I’d be much more concerned about said large number of violent people violently raping other inmates, rather than having to double the number of kleenexes and tube socks issued. What makes you think they’ll choose masturbation over violent rape? You seem to think they choose masturbation and only rape as a last resort. Nothing could be further from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/6 "2012-10-29T05:02:44Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/7 "2012-10-29T05:02:46Z")
It doesn’t seem to be as much about not wanting prisoners to have materials that make them horny. Sexual writings and clothed but still sexually provocative photos are permitted. According to this [appeals court ruling](http://www.metnews.com/articles/2005/snow041205.htm) it’s mostly to protect female employees of the prison from harassment, and also to prevent porn photos from becoming a barter item like money, which means people would fight over it and steal it from each other. (And an unusual third reason given was that inmates will use it to make “anatomical comparisons” that could lead to fights among themselves. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/8 "2012-10-29T05:04:00Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > As opposed to grouping a large number of violent people together and trying to ensure they have no way to relive their sexual frustrations? All the evidence seems to be that the availability of porn reduces the likelihood of rape. > > As for why we do it; I expect it’s more of the whole idea that prison is about punishment and nothing but punishment regardless of whether that makes sense or not. In the population as a whole the availability of porn may reduce rape, but this a a sub-section of the population predisposed to violence. Do you really want to agitate them? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/9 "2012-10-29T05:08:33Z")
This also depends on whether or not access to porn prevents rape. Rape is NOT about being too horny. You’re not going to rape someone because you haven’t masturbated. Porn won’t cure a rapist. Once again, rape is about power and domination over another person – it’s about trying to humiliate and degrade someone. It’s not, “oh my god, I’m SOOOOO fucking horny!” (And it’s not like they need porn to jerk off) ---
**Author:** ![Atakapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/10 "2012-10-29T05:09:34Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > In the population as a whole the availability of porn may reduce rape, but this a a sub-section of the population predisposed to violence. Do you really want to agitate them? If the goal is to avoid “agitation,” banning porn would seem a surefire method of worsening it. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/11 "2012-10-29T05:12:03Z")
Giving them porn seems a sure fire way of feeding it. Again, these are not people who naturally choose masturbation over violent rape. They are in fact predisposed to violence. Were not talking about some pimply 7th grader; We’re talking about violent criminals. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/12 "2012-10-29T05:16:30Z")
Since we have a lot of opinions here and virtually no actual facts, let’s move this one over to Great Debates. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/13 "2012-10-29T05:34:07Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > In the population as a whole the availability of porn may reduce rape, but this a a sub-section of the population predisposed to violence. Do you really want to agitate them? No; which is why I want them to be given porn to _calm them down_. > [@zoid](#): > > Giving them porn seems a sure fire way of feeding it. > Again, these are not people who naturally choose masturbation over violent rape. Most criminals aren’t rapists. And even for those that are, I fail to see the logic of how increasing their frustration will make them less likely to rape. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/14 "2012-10-29T05:58:44Z")
Possession of porn isn’t banned in New York prisons. The only rule is you can’t display it and you can’t have any home-made porn. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/15 "2012-10-29T06:50:51Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > This also depends on whether or not access to porn prevents rape. Rape is NOT about being too horny. You’re not going to rape someone because you haven’t masturbated. Porn won’t cure a rapist. Once again, rape is about power and domination over another person – it’s about trying to humiliate and degrade someone. It’s not, “oh my god, I’m SOOOOO fucking horny!” > > (And it’s not like they need porn to jerk off) I doubt strongly that this is universally true. I’m sure someone, somewhere raped someone because they wanted sex. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/16 "2012-10-29T07:00:36Z")
Is there any evidence that without porn the inmate masturbation rate declines? Sure, they might enjoy perusing some porn, but do they really _need_ it? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/17 "2012-10-29T07:04:05Z")
Not everyone in prison is there for a violent crime, either. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/18 "2012-10-29T09:26:10Z")
If you were going to do this I’d be inclined to suggest giving them erotica rather than porn, for the sake of the actresses. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/19 "2012-10-29T10:46:50Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Giving them porn seems a sure fire way of feeding it. > Again, these are not people who naturally choose masturbation over violent rape. They are in fact predisposed to violence. > > Were not talking about some pimply 7th grader; We’re talking about violent criminals. We’re talking about criminals. Aren’t most American inmates convicted of non-violent drug offences? But even if they were violent it could help to seperate their sexual and violent impulses. Leading to masturbation and common assault rather than rape. Anyway, it’s not like prison rape normally gets a lot of attention, other than from comedians. Funny how the courts suddenly care when it provides a way to punish and further restrict the behaviour of prisoners. And of course to protect the poor little women locking them up. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185/20 "2012-10-29T13:13:16Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > This also depends on whether or not access to porn prevents rape. Rape is NOT about being too horny. You’re not going to rape someone because you haven’t masturbated. Porn won’t cure a rapist. Once again, rape is about power and domination over another person – it’s about trying to humiliate and degrade someone. It’s not, “oh my god, I’m SOOOOO fucking horny!” > > (And it’s not like they need porn to jerk off) **Guin** , this meme from the 1970’s has been pretty well debunked. Yes, there’s a component of power and anger in many acts of rape, but sexual arousal still plays the biggest part. Note men who have been ‘chemically castrated’ find both their sex drives and their tendency to violence remarkably abated. And those violent individuals who have acceptable sexual outlets available to them are far less likely to commit sexual violence than those denied said outlets. Most prison systems exclude porn for a variety of reasons, which usually come down to local/state mores and the overall ‘ick’ factor/punishment/rehab rationale. And most systems know porn is present, but tolerate it if inmates are discreet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-porn-banned-in-american-prisons/639185.md?page=2)