Consensual Same-Sex Sexual Relationships in South African Female Prisons

Abstract

Although consensual same-sex sexual relationships in female prisons have been a topic of scholarly discourse, it has received little attention in African countries, and South Africa is no exception. Consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in African prisons have received little attention by researchers since studies on prison sex in Africa tend to focus on the sexual relationships between male prisoners, particularly the coercive nature of such relationships. Drawing on the retrospective narratives of six female former prisoners, this study examines the consensual nature of same-sex sexual relationships in South African female prisons. One of the findings of this study suggests that consensual same-sex sexual relationships in South African female prisons are pervasive. It was reported that the motivations for female prisoners’ engagement in consensual sexual relationships with other females in prison are the desire to satisfy material, sexual, and emotional needs, as well as, the desire for friendship and companionship.

Keywords: Consensual same-sex sexual relationships, female ex-prisoners, female prisoners, female prisons, homosexuality, imprisonment, incarceration, lesbianism, South Africa