Table 1

Sexual activity reported by male prisoners in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia

CharacteristicCondoms available to prisonersNo condoms available to prisonersp Value
New South Wales (n=1118)Queensland (n=900)
Ever had sexual contact in prison with inmate*,†
 Yes (%)65 (5.8)79 (8.8)0.01
 No (%)1045 (93.5)820 (91.1)
 Refused to answer (%)1 (0.1)
 No sexual experience at all (in prison or the community) (%)7 (0.6)1 (0.1)
Sexual partners in prison (if had sex in prison)
 Median number (range)2 (1–50)2 (1–2500)0.9
Sexually coerced in prison†,‡
 Yes (%)27 (2.4)26 (2.9)0.5
 No (%)1084 (97.0)873 (97.0)
 Missing (%)7 (0.6)1 (0.1)
Ever threatened with sexual assault in prison†
 Yes (%)64 (5.7)75 (8.3)0.05
 No (%)1053 (94.2)823 (91.4)
 Not sure (%)1 (0.1)2 (0.2)
Ever had anal sex in prison†
 Yes (%)37 (3.3)32 (3.6)0.8
 No (%)1081 (96.7)868 (96.4)
Ever used condom for anal sex with another prison inmate (if had sex in prison)
 Yes (%)21 (56.8)1 (3.1)<0.0001
 No (%)7 (18.9)25 (78.1)
 Missing (%)9 (24.3)6 (18.8)
Consented to first sexual contact in prison (if had sex in prison)
 Yes (%)54 (83.1)70 (88.6)0.5
 No (%)10 (15.4)7 (8.9)
 Equivocal (%)1 (1.5)2 (2.5)
  • *Sexual contact refers to any sexual contact including intercourse, kissing and touching.

  • †Denominator is all prisoners surveyed (ie, 1118 men in New South Wales and 900 men in Queensland).

  • ‡Forced or frightened into doing something sexually that you did not want to do.