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http://www.vice.com/read/the-vigila...st-rape-in-american-jails?utm_source=vicefbus

Long Interview. *Graphic warning*

Last year I spoke to a guy named Shaun Attwood about making millions on the stock market and plunging it all into a new career as a rave-organizing ecstasy kingpin. One unfortunate side effect of selling drugs on a large scale, I discovered during our conversation, is that if the police find out about it, they’re probably going to send you to jail.

While serving time for his offenses, Shaun saw or heard about numerous rapes of inmates by their fellow prisoners—a major problem that he claimed isn’t getting nearly the amount of attention it should from prison authorities. However, he told me about a friend he made who believes it’s his Christian duty to protect weaker inmates from being sexually abused, and has been stabbed and beaten to within an inch of his life for doing just that.

T-Bone is a 6 ft 5 ex-Marine who’s become something of a legend in the west coast prison system for taking a one-man stand against rapists in American jails. He’s currently serving time for robbery (he maintains his innocence), so I sent him some questions about his anti-rape crusade and the issues of sexual assault in American prisons.

VICE: Hi T-Bone. When did you first decide that you were going to make a stand against rapists in the prison system?

T-Bone: It was in 1986, when I saw a young kid of 18 being pushed around for food and being told to smuggle crystal meth and heroin into prison inside his butt. When the kid brought the dope in, the two guys who'd made him do it both got high and raped the kid, which made me decide to take action.


How common is rape in American prisons? As prevalent as TV and movies would have you believe?

It’s very common, and it happens in a variety of ways. When I was in one particular prison here in Arizona, every single night someone was getting raped. All night long, I heard male flesh pounding against male flesh, guys getting fucked up the ass. Anyone who couldn’t fight back was game. The rapists were the size of apes. They’d put the victim in a chokehold to make them unconscious. Regular guys—not homosexuals—were getting punked and were scared to admit it. I also saw big guys kissing little white boys on the lips and neck like they were women. Gang members would sometimes hold someone down and stick things in his ass—stuff like cans, soda bottles, shampoo bottles, broom handles, or metal shanks.




Shaun has told me that your Christian faith played a part in inspiring you to take action against rapists.

My belief in God gives me the divine power to do all things through His spirit. Some people say that God doesn’t hurt people and that I hurt those rapists on my own because I wanted to run things in prison, but I believe that God didn’t tell the rapists I encountered over the years to force themselves on young inmates just because they could. I never ran across the yard and jumped on people because of their behavior; I prayed, I talked to a lot of people on the yard who felt the same way I did, and I asked God for protection.

I'm not a Superman or someone special. God’s power is much stronger than mine, and His will will be done. Making rapists stop hurting other people was God pushing and guiding me. I didn’t win all of my fights with rapists—I almost lost my life more than once when I was stabbed and smashed in the skull with rocks in socks. I believe the only reason I’m alive is by God’s grace.


Yeah, I heard that you sustained quite a few injuries after sticking up for weaker inmates.

As well as being shanked and hit with rocks, I’ve hurt my hands a lot. I’ve been hit hard and had to take it easy for weeks until my body healed from blows and hits to the back of my head. I have several large scars, including one on my shoulder where I was sliced open. I’ve hurt my feet, knees, elbows, fingers, and toes. I’ve had contract killings put out on me for being outspoken about issues that are common in the joint. I’ve been asked to leave yards. I’ve been locked down because certain people didn’t want me around. I’ve found notes in my cell saying my life is in danger.



How did you end up in prison in the first place?

When I got out of the marines, I set myself up as a bodyguard and the cash started rolling in. I invested in the cocaine business and got addicted to it. I’ve lost over 20 years of my life due to the dumb decisions I made on drugs. I’ve hurt my wife and children by putting myself in here. Every time I’ve been released, I’ve come straight back. I’m not making excuses for myself, but most prisoners have drug problems and the prisons offer no help, drug counseling, or rehabilitation. The system is designed so that prisoners come right back because it keeps the prison in business. That’s part of the reason why there are more black guys in prison throughout the entire USA than are in college and more than were held under slavery before slavery was abolished.

[Editor's Note: Ivory Toldson, a professor at Howard University, says the conventional idea that there are more black men in prison than in college is a myth. According to his research, there are 1.4 million black men in college and 840,000 black men in prison.]



Why do you think the US prison system has such high levels of sexual assault compared to other nations?

It boils down to human nature—people don’t care about prisoners. Prison is a smaller version of what our society is like, with its extremes of power and poverty. There are laws in place to protect people in society, but in here, if a guy is forced to have sex, he has nowhere to turn, because if he tells the guards, he’s considered to be a rat, and that’s worse than being labeled a punk. Rats get killed in here. That’s why so much rape goes on, but no one reports it.



Do you think the prison system could do more to protect weaker inmates?

The prison system does nothing to protect weaker inmates. It’s a system that encourages evil.



There are a lot of racial politics within the US prison system—do you ever get any trouble for helping inmates of other races?

Yes, I’ve had to defend myself many times against gang members for helping inmates of other races. Here in Arizona’s prison system, blacks are a minority. I experience pure hatred because of the color of my skin. People seethe with vile contempt and want to kill me because I’m black, but I’m wearing the same clothes and doing the same time as them.

When I first came into the prison I'm currently in, glad to see a black man stop by, I said, "Hey, what’s up, brother?" He replied: "Some of the white boys here are mad at you for smashing some whites who were raping a youngster at another yard. They said that was white-boy business and you shouldn’t be interfering."

"How many brothers are on this run?" I asked, referring to black inmates. "You’re looking at him," was the reply. "I guess I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place then," I said, wondering how best to defend myself.



Did they come after you?

Later that day, I was let out for a shower. Two whites approached me at the steps, making noise to attract my attention. Then, out of nowhere, another white inmate jumped on my back and put me in a strong chokehold—a precision attack. Another guy grabbed my legs and pulled me down. I tried to kick and pull, but someone laid across my legs and twisted my body to an angle that hurt my back. Another inmate held my arms down while lying across my middle. I could tell they’d done this before.

The first guy said, "Pull his pants down."

They started to yank my pants down, and I couldn’t stop them. One produced a wooden broom handle shaped like a penis at the end. The sight of the phallus made me struggle with all my might, but I was pinned down too strong. Luckily, two Mexicans ran up the steps. One kicked the first guy in the face and I broke loose of the chokehold. He then spun around and stabbed a Mexican in the stomach. I leaned forward and hit the guy holding my legs down in the neck with my right hand. He tried to grab me, but I got a hold of his wrist, turned him over, pushed his arm up behind his back, dislocated his shoulder and snapped his wrist. I smashed his face into the pavement. I hit another guy in the esophagus and he went down, then 20 cops materialized from nowhere.



Jesus. Finally, if you could change one thing about the US prison system, what would it be?

The prison system here has been set up not to allow God in. That needs to change, because God is love, and where there’s love, there’s peace.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Jesus, it's like reading an Oz script.

 

[-COOLIO-]

he shouldn't have to do this, but im glad he is.

 

[Real Hero]

he sounds very heroic

 

[Brawly Likes to Brawl]

Its really disgusting that prison rape is treated like a joke or retribution in society.

 

[Saganator]

Sad thing is, we send people to prison knowing they'll get raped, and plenty of people feel like its punishment. State sanctioned rape. Makes me sick.

 

[toastyToast]

Hope there isn't a tragic end to his crusade. All the best to him

 

[Valhelm]

Watch out for T-Bone, he's a flamer.

Spoiler

This is an Arrested Development joke, not a homophobic comment.

 

[Saganator]

Was just thinking about this. Has someone facing prison ever argued that rape in prison is so wide spread and unchcked, that sending someone to prison is considered cruel and unusual punishment?

 

[Duane Cunningham]

Very heroic, but his answer to the final question should be to take the profit out of the prison system. Do that and I bet the system will quickly cease to encourage return offenders.

 

[SRG01]

Prisons and incarceration are ineffective because this kind of punishment merely hardens the prisoner and predisposes them to re-offending.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Prisons and incarceration are ineffective because this kind of punishment merely hardens the prisoner and predisposes them to re-offending.

Yep.

The sad thing is, the prison guards know full well about this, and do nothing about it. They sometimes even assist in setting up the rapes, especially to get back at prisoners who cause issues ("Issues" can be for something as minor as mouthing off)

Also, we throw the violent offenders in with the non-violent offenders. When my brother was in holding about 15 months ago on a marijuana possession charge, he was in the same cell as a 5 time offender, a guy who was in for aggravated assault.

 

[theignoramus]

US prisons are fucking evil institutions. If you arent a monster going in, you probably will be going out. I wont hear a word of the line of thought that says the inmates deserve the jungle they inhabit, fuck that, some of them are locked up for non violent crimes, and even the ones who are violent, if you perceive animalistic rape as the deliverance of justice or proper punishment, you are a sick fuck.

 

[Blargonaut]

Now there's an anti-hero.

 

[Dr_Boris_Goltz]

Watch out for T-Bone, he's a flamer.

Spoiler

This is an Arrested Development joke, not a homophobic comment.

You just made a fool of yourself in front of T-Bone.

 

[.GqueB.]

Prisons and incarceration are ineffective because this kind of punishment merely hardens the prisoner and predisposes them to re-offending.

Technically they are affective when you put it like that. Prison isn't about rehabilitation so it's doing just what it sets out to do which is unfortunate. They just want bodies.

 

[Delta Assault]

Silent guardian, watchful protector.

 

[Kinyou]

I guess politicians could do something but they don't want to be perceived as actually caring about the well being of criminals

 

[Rocket Scientist]

I'm always amazed at the documentaries on US prisons. It just looks too crazy to be real and yet it is real and happening. Too bad people don't care much since it's happening to criminals.

 

[mantidor]

It always boggles my mind how in the US the prison system is mostly private. Of course they are going to want as many prisoners and reoffenders as possible, is their bottom line.

 

[depths20XX]

What is it about prison that makes guys wanna rape so badly? I understand they're sexually frustrated and rape is more about power over someone but still.

 

[diaspora]

Are all US prisons the Thunderdome?

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

What is it about prison that makes guys wanna rape so badly? I understand they're sexually frustrated and rape is more about power over someone but still.

There it is.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

I'm curious what it says about humans that so many are against homosexuality, but you lock them away from the other sex and they start raping each other in no time. And I'm sure a ton of them would be offended to be called gay on the outside world.

I don't know what that all means, but it's pretty strange.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

THIS IS AMERICA, WHY SHOULD WE DO WHAT THE SOCIALISTS DO? DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

Also, gotta be tough on crime.

 

[Des0lar]

Wow this is simply so disgusting. The whole US prison system needs to be burned to the ground and reinvented.

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

There needs to be a major cultural shift. The idea that the majority of prisoners can be rehabilitated into law-abiding citizens, and that prisons should be institutes dedicated to that purpose, needs to become a popular notion throughout the United States: tons of US politicians don't want to be seen as "soft on crime" as a result of reforms. It's not restricted to you guys though, the Daily Mail whines all the time about how prisons are too cushy and prisoners not being punished enough.

 

[.GqueB.]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

Too hard. That's probably the reason for most questions like this.

 

[theignoramus]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

That would involve relaxing drug laws and cracking down on privately run, Soviet style gulags. In other words, the culture behind the prisons being what they are would have to change and that will, unfortunately, take decades of hard, hard work and lobbying.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

He's doing a fine thing, but I don't think "letting God in" is necessarily the most direct solution.

 

[Zemm]

You just made a fool of yourself in front of T-Bone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f28klp1qQGI

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Is there any reason we can't change our prisons to be more like some of the saner ones in the EU?

politicians want to get reelected. That means not being "soft on crime" and getting campaign donations from the prison industry.

 

[Calidor]

I'm curious what it says about humans that so many are against homosexuality, but you lock them away from the other sex and they start raping each other in no time. And I'm sure a ton of them would be offended to be called gay on the outside world.

I don't know what that all means, but it's pretty strange.

same as cannibalism

men like sex, if they don't have women around, they fuck what they can

 

[HI. BILLY MAYS HERE]

I commend him for having the courage to stand up for people.

 

[Omega]

It's a shame that those with money truly run this countr

The only people that deserved to get raped are the rapists/pedophiles so they know how it feels. It's sad that a guy has to risk his life over and over to protect people that rich white guys won't bother to help.

Obviously some criminals will always be criminals, there's no saving them. But there's people that legitimately made a bad choice and have to suffer life in prison over dumb shit instead of being given a chance to reform because money.

This bullshit made up currency rules the world and it's disgusting. It's just green paper and yet humans are willing to let other humans be treated like garbage just so they can pile up more green paper.

 

[Enzom21]

then 20 cops materialized from nowhere

I would imagine guards often turn a blind eye to this or even encourage it.

 

[Luis_23]

It's sad. I hope he makes it out ok.

 

[Omega]

I don't know why i bother to read comments sometimes

This man is a hero in my book. And the prison system is corrupt as hell. But it bothers me when any religious people say "God is all powerful and good etc."

I'm agnostic myself, but I hate when people say this. I used to say it myself when I was younger but then I realized who the fuck am I to judge someone's faith?

It's also incredibly fucking stupid to take a jab at him for his beliefs while calling him a hero two sentences before. He wouldn't be a hero in your book if he didn't have that belief.

 

[GaimeGuy]

The only people that deserved to get raped are the rapists/pedophiles so they know how it feels. It's sad that a guy has to risk his life over and over to protect people that rich white guys won't bother to help.

No one deserves to get raped

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

same as cannibalism

men like sex, if they don't have women around, they fuck what they can

I wonder how common rape is between female inmates.

I would imagine guards often turn a blind eye to this or even encourage it.

I don't know about encouraging it, but I'm curious how many guards and other staff (like the nurses who patch him up) have told him he should just stop interfering and mind his own business. I bet a lot.

 

[lmpaler]

Its really disgusting that prison rape is treated like a joke or retribution in society.

Sad thing is, we send people to prison knowing they'll get raped, and plenty of people feel like its punishment. State sanctioned rape. Makes me sick.

They broke the law and depending on the crime victimized someone physically, mentally, or emotionally. So nobody tends to care.

Was just thinking about this. Has someone facing prison ever argued that rape in prison is so wide spread and unchcked, that sending someone to prison is considered cruel and unusual punishment?

What do you propose that we do with people who break the laws of society?


I know our judicial system isn't perfect(or great sometimes), and I have heard this rape thing is really only an "American" thing, but(it is going to sound cold blooded when I say this) if they didn't break the law they wouldn't be in that situation in the first place.

Yes some people are wrongfully convicted and for them, that sucks and it is terrible on our judicial system's part, but for those who are not wrongfully convicted, no sympathy. You made your bed sort of thing.

My uncle is a detective for the county where we live and some of the stories he tells me of people who actually committed the crime getting to walk is just as bad as people who didn't do it getting convicted. Also prison guards are corrupt as all hell(why he left the federal prison asap when he first got into law enforcement) and nobody really gives a shit. Some of those prisoners eat better meals than our own fucking children get at our schools and have TV, video games, computer access, you name it. Not to mention as mentioned in the interview ways to get drugs and other things they want from the outside world.

In some aspects you could say prison is a vacation from real life, rape excluded obviously. This countries priorities in general are ass fucking backwards

 

[Calamari41]

US prisons are fucking evil institutions. If you arent a monster going in, you probably will be going out. I wont hear a word of the line of thought that says the inmates deserve the jungle they inhabit, fuck that, some of them are locked up for non violent crimes, and even the ones who are violent, if you perceive animalistic rape as the deliverance of justice or proper punishment, you are a sick fuck.

This doesn't even get into the fact that a huge number of inmates are innocents who were railroaded in.

 

[Shiina]

I wonder how common rape is between female inmates.

Probably just as often and that was an incredibly misandrist comment you replied to.

 

[Omega]

No one deserves to get raped

I know it's circular logic but those that decide to rape innocent people/kids deserve to feel just as helpless against Big Bubba in prison. Let them know how they've made dozens of people feel.

 

[Blasty]

It's a shame that those with money truly run this countr

The only people that deserved to get raped are the rapists/pedophiles so they know how it feels.[/B] It's sad that a guy has to risk his life over and over to protect people that rich white guys won't bother to help.

Obviously some criminals will always be criminals, there's no saving them. But there's people that legitimately made a bad choice and have to suffer life in prison over dumb shit instead of being given a chance to reform because money.

This bullshit made up currency rules the world and it's disgusting. It's just green paper and yet humans are willing to let other humans be treated like garbage just so they can pile up more green paper.

So... revenge basically? No one deserves to be raped.

 

[Brakke]

I know it's circular logic but those that decide to rape innocent people/kids deserve to feel just as helpless against Big Bubba in prison. Let them know how they've made dozens of people feel.

No.

 

[Hero_of_the_Day]

I know it's circular logic but those that decide to rape innocent people/kids deserve to feel just as helpless against Big Bubba in prison. Let them know how they've made dozens of people feel.

So, would you be okay with our courts sentencing people to rape? Just curious.

 

[shadyspace]

And yet I've read plenty accounts of prisoners saying prison rape was way overblown on the outside and the vast majority of sex is consensual. I'm sure there are stats that contradict that though.

 

[andycapps]

They should make a full documentary about this guy. I admire what he's done in there (obviously not what got him there), but man, he's taking his life in his hands to try to help out people that are being abused. That's a pretty incredible thing to do. Also, I'm picturing him being John Coffee.