Behind the Bars of Masculinity: Male Rape and Homophobia in and about South African Men's Prisons

This article explores the dynamics and layers of discourse surrounding sex, sexual violence and coercion in South Africa's men's prisons. Violence in prison - most of which goes unrecorded - is ritualized and is fundamental in establishing inmate identities and hierarchies. Male rape, perhaps the most severely under-reported, is one of many forms of assault occurring (predominantly) between prisoners. Drawing on interviews with (ex-)prisoners, together with related media coverage, I show how in dominant discourses on prison sex and sexual violence a blurring occurs between ‘homosexuality’ and ‘male rape’. Consequently, inclusive understandings of diverse sexualities are negated and sexual violence in prison is denied. I trace how powerful discourses on gender and sexuality make invisible the violence of male rape, and simultaneously demonize same-sex desire behind bars. Moreover, I consider the embryonic discourses that challenge hegemonic understandings, arguing that they have not yet adequately succeeded in producing more accepting understandings of male sexuality or male victimization.