Now, Prison life is changing in so many ways in the last decade or so. The prisons have become more restricted, they call it controlled movement. Example: In my first “home” institution, we had a huge shower room. They rang a bell and unracked half of the block, you literally ran to the showers, if you wanted to get a showerhead for yourself, in fact, like everything else we had divided the showers up. White side, Black side, Hispanics, Asian and of course the prison punks (Homosexuals) had their own space. The more seniority, or the more “juice” , you had, you could begin to walk because someone would “hold” your showerhead. (Sounds bizarre, doesn’t it). Back in the 80’s n 90’s you had to shower nude, too many weapons and stabbings happened in showers, unfortunately, I witnessed sex in the showers on occasion, I cannot say that I ever saw a forced rape in the showers. I have definitely witnessed (I hesitate to use that word, let’s say I saw), multiple stabbings, locks in socks, and other assaults in showers. The convicts got together and “stopped” most of the shower assaults because it was costing us too many privileges and lock-downs. I guess it was around the mid 90’s, homosexuality was becoming much more open, so “we” petitioned the Staff to allow boxers in the showers, we argued it would cut down on open sex in showers. By the way this Prison is still operating today, SCI- Huntingdon, it was built in 1890’s it has to be closed soon, I imagine.

Now, moving to my last Prison, there are no community showers, we had 4 (I think) shower stalls on top tier and 4 bottom tier, and the showers had times of day when you could use them. No more running to get a spot. Homosexual activity at this Prison took place in the “worst” possible areas. Areas where convicts could gather together under minimal supervision, Church activities, yard bathroom (yes we had an enclosed room with a door??) But as other posts have said, it is not so much as forced rape as “weak”, physically, mentally, and spiritually, weak inmates get “played” (groomed) and moved into the chicken hawks cell.

2nd part of question is correctional officers intervening? Part of the answer is Yes. Anything that happens in direct view of Officers will be addressed and stopped. BUT, please remember these guys are human beings doing a “job”, they are going to put their safety and the ability to walk out of the gate and go home to their family at the end of the day. In 20 years, I never, ever looked for an Officer to risk his health and safety to intervene on my behalf. That is why if you make any effort to be discreet, an Officer will gladly look the other way if it makes his job, and life easier. I was told by old-timer Convicts and Guards, my main concern is to make sure no one breaks out of the jail, that is how I have always viewed Officers. They want me behind the wall or fence until my time is served, everything else is up to me and my ‘friends” and/or associates. Hope, that this is not too awfully long.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=4029233&forum_id=2#36451783)