Survivor Stories

JDI has made only minor edits for spelling and clarity. Please note that some of these stories are graphic and may be difficult to read.

  • A transgender woman serving time in a men’s prison in Oklahoma, Heather* has been regularly subjected to degrading and abusive cross-gender strip searches.

     

  • Kristal was sexually assaulted in a holding cell by a marshal tasked with transporting her to court.

  • Rosa was sexually abused repeatedly by staff in two different Kentucky facilities. Although she bravely reported her abuse to prison officials and the police, Rosa was not protected from further sexual assaults. Nor were her attackers held accountable. Rosa is traumatized by the abuse, but finds comfort in sharing her story.

  • A power-obsessed prison worker abused Jan and many other inmates for years before he was caught. Years later, Jan and hundreds of female state prisoners settled a class action suit with Michigan for over $100 million after a jury found that prison officials for years ignored cases of rape, sexual advances, and groping by staff.

  • Eric was raped at knifepoint on the exercise yard in broad daylight.  He was raped again on the very next day by a different prisoner, who demanded sexual favors in return for protection.