Survivor Stories

Some of these stories are graphic, uncensored accounts of actual rapes and surrounding circumstances. The language used may be raw and include street slang. JDI has made only minor edits for spelling and clarity. The views expressed are those of the individual survivor/author, and are not necessarily the views of Just Detention International.

  • Angela is a transgender woman who was repeatedly abused in a Colorado prison. After she reported the abuse, nothing was done to protect her.

  • A high-ranking corrections official sexually abused Jonathan for months at a federal prison in Florida. Jonathan reported the abuse, which led to a full investigation by the FBI and the Office of Inspector General.

  • James was raped twice in two days by a prisoner in a Massachusetts jail. The assaults left him feeling devastated, and triggered deeply painful feelings related to his childhood abuse.

  • Keith was sexually assaulted after prison officials transferred him to a dangerous facility as punishment for reporting staff misconduct. Keith, who contracted HIV as a result of the abuse, became a powerful advocate. He testified before the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission in 2005 and served on JDI’s Survivor Council. He passed away in 2015.

  • A teenager in a private adult prison in Oklahoma, Matt was raped by his cellmate and another prisoner.