Prisons as reflections of societal gender norms and rape cultureRačečič, Neža (Avtor) social violenceprison systemvulnerable groupspatriarchyrape cultureThis article examines the phenomenon of sexual violence in prisons and in broader society, noting that its prevalence is significantly higher in prisons. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Susan Brownmiller, Catharine MacKinnon, and Angela Davis, it explores rape and sexual violence from different perspectives. The focus is on violence against the most vulnerable groups in prison: assaults among male prisoners in men’s facilities, abuse of female prisoners by male guards in women’s prisons, and violence targeting transgender women in men’s prisons. The findings suggest that sexual violence in prisons—like in wider society—is rooted in social gender norms and a broader ‘rape culture’. Current bureaucratic policies have failed to produce the desired results, often addressing symptoms rather than causes. Therefore, the article also considers alternative approaches, including prevention strategies that address structural inequalities, prison culture, and the intersection of gender, sexuality, and power.20252026-03-12 19:07:49Delo ni kategorizirano28266sl