Sasha Gear - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sasha Gear

Research paper thumbnail of Behind the bars of South African prisons

Sexual health exchange, 2005

In South African prisons different kinds of sexual interactions and relationships take place betw... more In South African prisons different kinds of sexual interactions and relationships take place between men. The majority of these are abusive exploitative and involve rape and various degrees of coercion. Newcomers to prison are especially vulnerable because they are unfamiliar with the "rules" of inmate culture and are easily manipulated. Seasoned inmates regard them as sources of material goods including sex and as potential gang members. Often a newcomer accepts goods and services such as protection food or cigarettes from another inmate without realizing that sex will be expected from him as payment for the unknowingly created "debt". Rape frequently follows as a consequence. A qualitative study by the South African Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) showed that the trickery frequently used to subordinate inmates relies on the exchange value that is attributed to sex. Because sex is embedded in the prison economy those who are poor tend ...

Research paper thumbnail of Now That the War Is Over: Ex-combatants Transition and the Question of Violence-a Literature Review

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, …, 2005

for your support of the project. We gratefully acknowledge the International Development Research... more for your support of the project. We gratefully acknowledge the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for the funding that made the study possible.

Research paper thumbnail of Behind the bars of masculinity: Male rape and homophobia in and about south african men's prisons

Sexualities, 2007

This article explores the dynamics and layers of discourse surrounding sex, sexual violence and c... more 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.

Research paper thumbnail of Brutal logic

Routledge Handbook of Sexuality, Health and Rights, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Logics of Brutality: Gender and Violence in South African Men's Prisons

My presentation draws on research we"ve conducted over the last few years at the Centre for ... more My presentation draws on research we"ve conducted over the last few years at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) in South Africa in attempt to understand sex and sexual violence happening in our men"s prisons. I"ll be focusing on constructions of gender and sexuality in male prisons and will argue that particular notions of "masculinity" structure

Research paper thumbnail of Rules of engagement: Structuring sex and damage in men's prisons and beyond

Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2005

This paper analyses data from a recent study of ex-prisoners and prisoners in Gauteng Province, S... more This paper analyses data from a recent study of ex-prisoners and prisoners in Gauteng Province, South Africa, to consider the moral economy established by hegemonic inmate culture in which sexual interactions are negotiated. It argues that while this system is based on outside norms of heterosexism, ruptures with these norms occur. Male prison populations are rearranged into gendered categories through intricate inmate rituals, causing dramatic breaks in the ways that some prisoners are understood by others and themselves. The rituals and rules involved in the constructions appear to be unfamiliar from an 'outside' perspective, but have roots beyond prison walls. Similarly, the gendered positions generated are distinct from those they imitate, but also emerge in relation to them, beyond mere imitation. Even as new structures of identity emerge then, breaks with the outside are never total. Neither is the hold of the moral economy that inmate culture works so hard to create. Another order of rupture happens when prisoners transgress the rules of this economy, and subvert the meanings on which both the oppressive gender-sex status quo of the inside and that of the outside, rely.

Research paper thumbnail of Sex, Sexual Violence and Coercion in Men's Prisons

Paper presented at AIDS in Context International …, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of YOUR BROTHER, MY WIFE: Sex and gender behind bars

South African Crime Quarterly, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Violence makes safe in South African prisons: Prison gangs, violent acts, and victimization among inmates

That gangs have a prominent place in South African prison violence—like in many other geographica... more That gangs have a prominent place in South African prison violence—like in many other geographical contexts—has become increasingly clear. Based on qualitative research among South African inmates and ex-inmates, we propose
that prison gangs be considered adaptation strategies to the extremely coercive and oppressive environments of prisons. We focus on the relationship between gang involvement in prison, violent acts among inmates, and the risk of being subjected to violence during incarceration. By providing emic perspectives, we aim to demonstrate how inmates negotiate three types of social roles, largely defined by their ability and willingness to use violence: franse, gangster, and wyfie. Our findings suggest that prison gangs may jeopardize the personal safety of inmates, but can also paradoxically offer some inmates the opportunity to establish a sense of safety and agency by avoiding random violence.

Research paper thumbnail of Behind the bars of South African prisons

Sexual health exchange, 2005

In South African prisons different kinds of sexual interactions and relationships take place betw... more In South African prisons different kinds of sexual interactions and relationships take place between men. The majority of these are abusive exploitative and involve rape and various degrees of coercion. Newcomers to prison are especially vulnerable because they are unfamiliar with the "rules" of inmate culture and are easily manipulated. Seasoned inmates regard them as sources of material goods including sex and as potential gang members. Often a newcomer accepts goods and services such as protection food or cigarettes from another inmate without realizing that sex will be expected from him as payment for the unknowingly created "debt". Rape frequently follows as a consequence. A qualitative study by the South African Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) showed that the trickery frequently used to subordinate inmates relies on the exchange value that is attributed to sex. Because sex is embedded in the prison economy those who are poor tend ...

Research paper thumbnail of Now That the War Is Over: Ex-combatants Transition and the Question of Violence-a Literature Review

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, …, 2005

for your support of the project. We gratefully acknowledge the International Development Research... more for your support of the project. We gratefully acknowledge the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for the funding that made the study possible.

Research paper thumbnail of Behind the bars of masculinity: Male rape and homophobia in and about south african men's prisons

Sexualities, 2007

This article explores the dynamics and layers of discourse surrounding sex, sexual violence and c... more 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.

Research paper thumbnail of Brutal logic

Routledge Handbook of Sexuality, Health and Rights, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Logics of Brutality: Gender and Violence in South African Men's Prisons

My presentation draws on research we"ve conducted over the last few years at the Centre for ... more My presentation draws on research we"ve conducted over the last few years at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) in South Africa in attempt to understand sex and sexual violence happening in our men"s prisons. I"ll be focusing on constructions of gender and sexuality in male prisons and will argue that particular notions of "masculinity" structure

Research paper thumbnail of Rules of engagement: Structuring sex and damage in men's prisons and beyond

Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2005

This paper analyses data from a recent study of ex-prisoners and prisoners in Gauteng Province, S... more This paper analyses data from a recent study of ex-prisoners and prisoners in Gauteng Province, South Africa, to consider the moral economy established by hegemonic inmate culture in which sexual interactions are negotiated. It argues that while this system is based on outside norms of heterosexism, ruptures with these norms occur. Male prison populations are rearranged into gendered categories through intricate inmate rituals, causing dramatic breaks in the ways that some prisoners are understood by others and themselves. The rituals and rules involved in the constructions appear to be unfamiliar from an 'outside' perspective, but have roots beyond prison walls. Similarly, the gendered positions generated are distinct from those they imitate, but also emerge in relation to them, beyond mere imitation. Even as new structures of identity emerge then, breaks with the outside are never total. Neither is the hold of the moral economy that inmate culture works so hard to create. Another order of rupture happens when prisoners transgress the rules of this economy, and subvert the meanings on which both the oppressive gender-sex status quo of the inside and that of the outside, rely.

Research paper thumbnail of Sex, Sexual Violence and Coercion in Men's Prisons

Paper presented at AIDS in Context International …, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of YOUR BROTHER, MY WIFE: Sex and gender behind bars

South African Crime Quarterly, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Violence makes safe in South African prisons: Prison gangs, violent acts, and victimization among inmates

That gangs have a prominent place in South African prison violence—like in many other geographica... more That gangs have a prominent place in South African prison violence—like in many other geographical contexts—has become increasingly clear. Based on qualitative research among South African inmates and ex-inmates, we propose
that prison gangs be considered adaptation strategies to the extremely coercive and oppressive environments of prisons. We focus on the relationship between gang involvement in prison, violent acts among inmates, and the risk of being subjected to violence during incarceration. By providing emic perspectives, we aim to demonstrate how inmates negotiate three types of social roles, largely defined by their ability and willingness to use violence: franse, gangster, and wyfie. Our findings suggest that prison gangs may jeopardize the personal safety of inmates, but can also paradoxically offer some inmates the opportunity to establish a sense of safety and agency by avoiding random violence.