Confinement and Consent: A Comparative Analysis of Sexual Abuse in Finnish and U.S. Prisons

Author: Madison Greico

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Alexandra Moore

Easel: 19

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Every year, thousands of prison rapes occur behind bars in New York alone by the very guards meant to protect prisoners. The Bangkok Rules and The Basic Principles for The Treatment of Prisoners are a specific outline of protections and rights for individuals (Bangkok specifically about women) within prisons adopted by the United Nations compromising states. While The United States is a leader in the United Nations and adopted these sets of rules, their failures of commitment are extremely apparent. However, Finland, another United Nations member, has virtually no record of sexual abuse within their prisons. In investigation of what sets these two countries apart, the research looks to explain the conditions that allow for these violences to occur. Distinguishing and investigating what allows Finland to prosper and the United States to utterly fail in this aspect will help to put an end to the injustices of prison rape.