How Do Lesbian Relationships Work in Prison?

Amanda Knox, the famous American who was jailed in Italy

Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted for the murder of her roommate in 2007. She served four years in Capanne Prison, a women’s facility in Perugia, Italy. After proving her innocence, she was able to gain freedom and is now a freelance writer.

According to Knox, inmates inside Capanne had crushes on one another. Passing of love letter through the bars are often and is the usual way of showing love to their partners. Fistfights between new partners and exes are also expected.

While there might be inmate couples who acted immaturely, there are also inmates who are self-contained. Most often than not, these couples are the ones who continue their lesbian relationship once they got out of prison.

Knox said that a female prisoner named Leny once seduced her. She thinks that Leny was only trying to find comfort with the loneliness that the prison walls bring.

While other inmates use sexual intimacy for cigarettes, money, protection, or solely for love, Knox doesn’t want any of these. She already gets enough attention from her family and friends. Knox needs not use anyone so that the feeling of isolation will get easier.

Sally, 60 years old, and a former inmate

60-year-old Sally, who was a former inmate, used to be in and out of jail. She says that people have more sex in prison than they do on the street. This only shows how same-sex intimacy is common inside prison walls.

However, in her case, lesbian relationships in prison are hard. People who engage in same-sex relationships are often mistreated and discriminated against. Most correctional officers are often homophobic and are disgusted with them.

Sally says that for the relationship to work, you must not let everyone know about your sexual orientation. You will never know who is violent and homophobic. Getting caught doing sex or kissing will have you punished and locked in solitary, regardless of whether it’s consensual.

While sexual relationships inside a women’s prison are forbidden, it is still common for two inmates to have intimate relationships. (Related: How Prison Couples Get Intimate)

So what drives them to commit lesbian relationships-even those who claim that they are heterosexual?

Companionship.

A social psychology professor at California State University, Dr. Pamela Regan, said that people want to form a loving and lasting relationship. Whether for intimacy, recreation, social support, sex, or for whatever reason it is, it’s all because of the need to form a connection with another person.

Since prison is an awful place, most people think that the relationship behind bars is only because of sex. But, most often than not, lesbian relationships and any other types of relationships inside the prison are about human connection.