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Life Behind Bars: What Happens to Child Predators in Prison?

Published on January 29, 2025, by InmateAid

Introduction

The prison system operates within an unspoken hierarchy, where child molesters—often referred to as "chomos" in prison slang—occupy the lowest tier. Among the most despised offenders, they are met with severe hostility from other inmates, facing frequent isolation, violence, and limited access to rehabilitation programs. While incarceration is inherently harsh, the conditions for convicted child sex offenders are particularly unforgiving, often leaving them with no choice but to seek protective custody as a means of survival.

Prison Hierarchy and Social Standing

Inmates convicted of child sex crimes are at the bottom of the prison hierarchy, universally despised by other incarcerated individuals, including those who have committed violent crimes such as murder. The stigma surrounding these offenses leads to severe ostracization. Prison culture places significant emphasis on a criminal code that, ironically, does not tolerate crimes against children. Other inmates, particularly those affiliated with prison gangs, enforce this code through verbal abuse, intimidation, and violence. This makes social interactions difficult, as few inmates are willing to associate with known child molesters.

Violence and Retaliation

Child molesters often become targets for physical assaults, threats, and in extreme cases, homicide. Attacks can range from beatings and stabbings to being scalded with boiling water or hot oil. High-profile cases, such as the murder of Jeffrey Dahmer in prison and attacks on other convicted sex offenders, highlight the lethal risks they face behind bars. Many general population inmates view harming a child molester as a way to gain status or settle personal traumas. Correctional officers, while bound by protocol, may turn a blind eye or offer little sympathy when these individuals are assaulted.

Protective Custody (PC) and Special Housing Units (SHU)

Due to the constant threats against them, many child molesters are placed in protective custody (PC), a segregated housing unit designed to keep vulnerable inmates away from the general population. While this ensures their physical safety, the conditions of PC can be highly restrictive. Inmates in PC often have fewer privileges, reduced recreation time, and limited social interaction. Protective custody also carries a stigma, as inmates housed there are seen as weak, snitches, or cowards. Even within PC, sex offenders can be at risk, as some inmates in these units also harbor violent tendencies toward them.

Notable Prisons That House Sex Offenders

Certain correctional facilities are known for housing large populations of sex offenders, particularly those convicted of crimes against children. These prisons offer specialized units or entire facilities dedicated to this category of offenders:

Case Studies: The Reality of Sex Offenders in Prison

Several well-known cases highlight the harsh reality of incarceration for child molesters:

  • Jeffrey Dahmer (Columbia Correctional Institution, Wisconsin) – While not exclusively a child molester, Dahmer was murdered by a fellow inmate who despised his crimes.

  • Jerry Sandusky (SCI-Laurel Highlands) – The former Penn State football coach convicted of abusing minors is serving a lengthy sentence and reportedly faces significant stigma even in a prison known for sex offenders.

  • Larry Nassar (FMC Devens, Massachusetts) – The disgraced doctor was assaulted within hours of being placed in the general population at the facility.

  • John Geoghan (Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, Massachusetts) – A former Catholic priest convicted of molesting children, he was murdered in prison by another inmate who claimed to be avenging the victims.

Daily Life and Psychological Impact

The constant threat of violence and isolation creates a mentally taxing environment for child molesters in prison. Many experience severe anxiety, depression, and paranoia due to their precarious status. Unlike general population inmates who can form alliances and participate in various programs, child molesters often find themselves shunned by both inmates and staff. Few correctional officers sympathize with their plight, and some may intentionally make their time in prison more difficult by denying requests for job placements or delaying their movements to expose them to danger.

Participation in rehabilitation programs is another challenge. Many facilities do not prioritize or even offer sex offender treatment programs, leaving offenders with little opportunity to address their behavior. This further limits their ability to reintegrate into society upon release. Additionally, the fear of being labeled a sex offender deters some inmates from engaging in any form of socialization, leading to prolonged isolation and deteriorating mental health.

Beyond the dangers within prison, child molesters also face significant legal and correctional hurdles. Many jurisdictions impose longer sentences and strict post-release conditions, such as mandatory registration as a sex offender, GPS monitoring, and restrictions on residency and employment. In some cases, offenders may be placed under civil commitment, meaning they are confined indefinitely in treatment facilities even after serving their sentence.

Public sentiment against child molesters remains strong, with lawmakers continually passing harsher penalties and restrictions. This has led to a growing debate on whether incarceration should focus solely on punishment or include rehabilitation for offenders capable of reform. The correctional system struggles with balancing these perspectives, as there is minimal public support for leniency toward child sex offenders, even if rehabilitation could potentially reduce recidivism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are child molesters targeted in prison?
Child molesters are at the bottom of the prison hierarchy due to the nature of their crimes. Many inmates despise them, seeing them as the worst type of offender, which often leads to harassment, violence, and ostracization.

2. Are child molesters always placed in protective custody?
While many are placed in protective custody due to safety concerns, some attempt to stay in the general population. However, this often results in threats and attacks, forcing them into segregated housing for their protection.

3. Do child molesters receive any rehabilitation programs in prison?
Rehabilitation programs for sex offenders vary by facility. Some prisons offer specialized treatment programs, while others provide little to no rehabilitative support, making reintegration difficult.

4. What happens to child molesters after they serve their sentence?
After release, most are required to register as sex offenders, often facing strict residency, employment, and monitoring restrictions. Some may be placed under civil commitment for continued confinement in treatment centers.

5. Are there prisons specifically for sex offenders?
Certain facilities, like FMC Devens and Butner FCI, house high numbers of sex offenders, often placing them in specialized units. However, most are still integrated into the broader correctional system.

6. Have there been high-profile cases of child molesters being attacked in prison?
Yes, notable cases include the murders of John Geoghan and Jeffrey Dahmer, as well as the assault on Larry Nassar. These incidents highlight the extreme risks faced by sex offenders in general population settings.

7. Do correctional officers treat child molesters differently?
While officers are expected to maintain neutrality, some may show open disdain, limit privileges, or even turn a blind eye to inmate violence against them. Others, however, strictly enforce policies to ensure their safety.

Conclusion

The experience of a child molester in prison is one of isolation, fear, and violence. Marked as social pariahs, they navigate a hostile environment where their safety is constantly at risk, and their opportunities for rehabilitation are limited. Protective custody offers a layer of security but comes at the cost of further segregation and reduced privileges. Even after serving their sentence, societal stigma follows them, making reintegration difficult.

This raises the ongoing question of how the justice system should handle such offenders—whether through prolonged punishment, rehabilitation, or a combination of both. For now, the reality remains that prison is an unforgiving place for child molesters, where they often live in fear for their lives every single day.