8 Targets in Prison Masturbation Cases

Criminal Justice

Posted Jul 27, 2007, 03:09 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

Updated: A Florida inmate convicted this week of masturbating while alone in his jail cell is reportedly only one of eight targets—along with state taxpayers—of what a Miami Herald columnist describes as "a spectacular case of selective prosecution."

Given the likely prevalence of such commonplace behavior in state prisons (not to mention boarding schools, seminaries and military barracks), criminally charging any Broward County inmate with masturbation represents a major waste of prosecution dollars, writes Fred Grimm in the Miami Herald ("Justice went blind in this jailhouse case").

However, in addition to the 20-year-old inmate convicted this week, three other inmates charged in similar cases have accepted pleas and three still await trial (one case was dismissed). All were charged by the same female deputy, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Grimm also questions whether the cure is worse than the disease. Prospective jurors were publicly questioned about their own masturbation habits, as noted in an earlier ABAJournal.com post, before Terry Lee Alexander—who was already facing a 10-year robbery sentence—was convicted of indecent exposure Tuesday and sentenced to 60 days, as reported by the Herald.

Plus, during Alexander's trial, prosecutor Cynthia Lauriston and the female deputy who complained, after observing him on a monitor as he was alone in his cell, "managed to describe Alexander's offense in startling detail, eight times, once with Lauriston approximating the action with arm motions," Grimm notes.

''It was very vulgar. Very indecent,'' the deputy testified, describing the new crime of which Alexander has now been convicted, the column concludes. "But she could have been characterizing the prosecution, the trial, the verdict and the obscene, indecent, vulgar, lascivious, downright stupid waste of time and money."

(Originally posted at 1:10 p.m.)

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Posted by Observer - 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, 3 days, 1 hour, 26 minutes ago

This is genuinely idiotic, and is an outgrowth of the ongoing Victorian attitudes toward sex that continue to prevail in the community.

Keep in mind, though, that this is the same judicial circuit that gave rise to Judge Seidlin, the supposed comic.
Posted by Sam - 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, 2 days, 4 hours, 11 minutes ago

This is like the proverbial guy who complained to the police about a pornographic movie. He had to see it eight times to make sure it was really pornongraphic.
Posted by FJP - 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, 23 hours, 10 minutes ago

Did they think about the possibility that if the inmates were allowed to pleasure themselves they may be less likely to rape or engage in unsafe sex with other inmates?
Posted by Fernando Rivero - 1 year, 1 month, 1 week, 6 hours, 11 minutes ago

It would be instructive to learn about crime statistics in Broward County, particularly whether there is a marked decrease in crimes, which can help explain the use of local dollars for this type of unusual sting operation. As much as readers may complain about the ludicrous nature of this prosecution, the sad fact is that this effort stems from laws on the nation’s books, many of which date from the nineteenth century and reflect a concern with sexual conduct that is at odds with present day prevailing notions. A good option would be to strike down or refine the application of these laws to avoid this types of inefficient outcome, especially with regard to such victimless crimes. However, given the nature of the Florida state legislature, expectations are best kept low.
Posted by W. Charles - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 8 hours, 8 minutes ago

That prosecution was a waste of taxpayers money. Masturbation is a practice done by millions of people, and should not be criminalized. Would the jailers prefer that the inmates indulge in raping other inmates or sexual self-gratification? What a stupid waste of time! It seems to me that the female inmate was jealous that she was not the object of the inmate’s affection- she needs to get a life!
Posted by W. Charles - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 8 hours, 6 minutes ago

Oops! In the second to last line, I meant to type"female deputy”, but you all figured that out, right?
Posted by Jon Davis - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 7 hours, 7 minutes ago

Insanity does not even start to describe the stupidity of this issue. They should be glad that the inmates want to whack off as it will take the edge off of them. Given the prison environment I suggest the inmates sing the song “jacking off is hard to to do” to the tune of that old 50’s favorite “breaking up is hard to do”
Posted by Mister Bates - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 6 hours, 23 minutes ago

Cruel and unusual punishment - one needs an outlet, after all!
Posted by bradley thomas - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 5 hours, 24 minutes ago

is there not some kind of administrative punishment such as seggragation or loss of privileges not that i think someone should be punished for masterbating but come on the state of florida just spent thousands of taxpayer dollars to add 60 days concurrent jail time to a allready long prison term and the inmate is going to take his penis with him what are we going to do with the repeat offenders
castrate them
Posted by Jeff Petersen - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 5 hours, 14 minutes ago

Unbelievable! Are we living in some kind of puritanical theocracy now?!
Posted by Astounded - 1 year, 1 month, 3 days, 3 hours, 2 minutes ago

I can’t believe this is constitutional. I also can’t believe any prosecutor would pursue this. What is the point?
Posted by John T. Hayes - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 16 hours, 13 minutes ago

we miss the pnt if we focus on masturbation raher than in the private behaviour on a state facility. Allowing this conduct will giv ethe impression that nay self gratifiying acts involving ones body should be permitted. inmmated live in a collective environment with a very limited expectation of intimacy. Masturbatiion rooms or masturbation brakes for private self gratification should be the alternative. Explicit sexual conduct only promotes undesired sexual outcomes.
Posted by Outraged - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes ago

I’m moving to Europe. At least I’ll be able to masturbate in prison there
Posted by ashabot - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes ago

What incredible stupidity, waste of taxpayer money and time. The guards must be fundamentalist Kristians.
Posted by Incredulous European - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 7 hours, 17 minutes ago

What’s the matter with Florida? No offense, but to be frank, this particular state features in at least 2/3 of all insane news stories from the United States. It’s like a nightmare version of California.
Posted by mind - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 5 hours, 43 minutes ago

no, this runs deeper than any issue about masturbation. i think what this deputy objects to is seeing this happening on cameras that are meant to watch the prisoners. so basically the attitude is ‘we have a right to watch you, and if what youre doing bothers us, then we have a right to prosecute you’. welcome to the big brother state. thanks neocons!
Posted by C. Gardner - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 5 hours, 34 minutes ago

I like to watch.

Chauncey Gardener
Posted by Gragon - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 4 hours, 42 minutes ago

Go USA. Keep up the good work.
Posted by Bob - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 1 hour, 58 minutes ago

Why is there a FEMALE cop watching men in their cells? Hmm? Are there MALE cops watching women in their cells? Floridians are a bunch of pervs.
Posted by Jimbo - 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 37 minutes ago

is this for real?
and the deputy and prosecutor watched the video 8 times so like they could be sure they were charing him for the right crime??
i wonder what the female deputy is pissed off about… hmmm
Posted by Wolf Heinrich - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 23 hours, 34 minutes ago

Add another thing to the list that makes me.....

HATE AMERICA!

That’s right.. I’m one of those Americans who the conservative azzhats accuse of hating America.
Posted by Zeke - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 59 minutes ago

You’ve got to be kidding me! Wait, let me check ... nope, it ain’t April fools day :-/ I second Wolf, that this one more thing that makes me hate america. I’m glad to be living in europe right now!
Posted by Cph - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 39 minutes ago

Wtf?!

The world is laughing at America. If it wasn’t so sad I would be laughing as well..
Posted by Fivestring - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 37 minutes ago

Every time you grab at yourself, the baby jesus cries!
Posted by Dennis - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 22 minutes ago

Interesting twist with all these comments trying to justify this prosecution. I do agree that the judge is just acting based upon laws and so its rightful. But I don’t get as previously mentioned how a WOMAN can watch over a MAN.
Secondly its of course ridiculous to not be allowed to masturbate, what else should those lads do? It’s even stated that he was ALONE, so nobody was harmed besides the poor lady watching over him…

I’m in favor of changing some laws in Florida.

Cheers from Prague, Czech Republic
Posted by Elliot - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 19 minutes ago

How many prisoners get charged for raping other prisoners? What kind of message does this send to the inmates?
Posted by moxley - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 17 minutes ago

That deputy (who seems as repressed as they come, so please, keep an eye on HER because she is the type that goes loony and kills a bunch of people) - anyway - this is a travesty. What’s next, she doesn’t like the way they wipe their asses. Yet another attempt to “legislate morality” but this seems too petty and banal even for the Giuliani types. I am tempted to say something like “these inmates should save a cup of their ‘product’ and throw it in her face. THEN she’ll actually have as reason to go on a 17th century style witch hunt. “ but I won’t say that because it sounds vengeful and inmature.

By the way, well written article.
Posted by kp - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 16 hours, 5 minutes ago

Deputy is likely a lesbian and is disturbed that she must keep her ‘man part’ under her bed or in the sock drawer. Uh oh, I just made a mess on my keyboard just thinging about it. Dang.
Posted by Brian - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 15 hours, 55 minutes ago

I guess too much prosecution makes you go blind.
Posted by noobish - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 15 hours, 47 minutes ago

So she was watching this guy on her monitor masturbating and was able to describe it in gory detail huh?

Counter sue for invasion of privacy....
Posted by matt - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 15 hours, 14 minutes ago

mastubation is now actualy a crime?

WTF?
Posted by MC - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 14 hours, 32 minutes ago

Ahh, Our tax dollars at work. This guard should be fired instantly for wasting the courts time and tax payers money.

If these guys weren’t doing anything wrong with their “left overs”, then where’s the crime?
News flash to the female guard.."You work in a PRISON. These guys were ALONE and not bothering you or anyone else, so stop your whining.”
Posted by Adam - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 14 hours, 18 minutes ago

So they’ll prosecute men for jerking off, but not for corn-holing other prisoners? Perhaps rape fits in better with their grand plans.

Pirson rape is one issue I’d like to see take the stage at presidential events.
Posted by MGD - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 14 hours, 15 minutes ago

The prisoners should have shot their wad in the female deputy’s face. Hopefully, that’s what they’ll do next time they masturbate.
Posted by DRAKWING DUCK - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 14 hours, 10 minutes ago

IT JUST CRAZY

MORE JAIL TIME FOR CHOCKING THEIR CHICKEN!

WHAT ABOUT MORE JAIL TIME FOR SELL DRUG, RAPE PEOPLE OR KILLING.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0FOXftQdf8
Posted by Suricou Raven - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 13 hours, 38 minutes ago

I am reminded of some of the pseudo-medical theories that circulated around the 1800’s and even up to the mid 1900’s about the dangers of mastubation - even respectable doctors believed it caused blindness, insanity, muscular distophy, hair growth, weakened immune system, infertility, and so the list goes. Obviously none thought to check these old stories - they were respectable doctors, after all, and respectable people didn’t like even talk about the subject. But what they did do was invent a whole array of nasty anti-mastubation treatments from pavlovian conditioning to modern chastity belts, to surgical removal of the penis or clitorous in extreme cases of ‘chronic mastubation.’ Those in asylums were particually vulnerable to surgery without consent, on the grounds that they would surely get better if they could stop their self-abuse.

Kellogs, of Cornflakes fame, was particually enthusiastic in his anti-mastubation campaigns.
Posted by Cleve Wetlick - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 51 minutes ago

Wow, if these guys are guilty of private indeciency, I would get several life sentences for all the times I have also been privately indecent. What is next? Do they have to promise not to wak-off on parole? Will they be given anti masturbation tests while on parole? I have never heard of anything so stupid. Give these guys some lube and let them have 5 minutes of privacy.
Posted by Lawrence Tureaud - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 43 minutes ago

Well… that’s one case where I could definitely get out of jury duty!
Posted by andrew brooks - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 36 minutes ago

Seems to me that sex is a natrul function of all human beings. These prisoners hove no other outlet for their sexual urges. I didn’t realise that masterbation was a crime!!!
WAKE UP!!!!
Posted by JohnMichael - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 33 minutes ago

Perhaps this is just another example of neocons’ penal theory (no pun intended)---dehumanize the inmates so their return is almost certain and enternal. Where do we get these ideas from? I am also struck that the trial judge permitted a voir dire inquiry on the wanking habits of potential jurors. This is just insane!
Posted by Bercebu48 - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 23 minutes ago

To end the problem they should allow oral sex betwen inmates.
Posted by Seattle - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 20 minutes ago

Are these people fo real? Isnt it costing more to get public defenders and have trials? Thats the real waste of money, leave them alone in their cells, would you rather them be with othe inmates?
Posted by Gaz - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 8 minutes ago

They’re just HAVING A A WANK!
Posted by Syd - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 12 hours, 3 minutes ago

Sounds like there’s a female deputy who shouldn’t be working in a prison. Duh.
Posted by Live free or die - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 11 hours, 54 minutes ago

Vote from the rooftops.
Posted by Bart - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 11 hours, 27 minutes ago

So what are the charges? What is the legal basis of the charges: what laws did they not abide? Do I risk being charged for blinking my eyes next?
Posted by Suricou Raven - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 10 hours, 55 minutes ago

I also know someone, an ex-con. I dont know exactly what he got in for, but one of the conditions of his parole was that he must not look at any materials which could ‘cause him to become aroused.’ Enforced by regular polygraph test.

I dont know what state he is in, or even what country. The offense could be anything from accidential public indecency to sexual abuse of a child, but… banned from looking at material that could cause arousal? What a rediculous condition. I wont even begin to list all the reasons its rediculous - I can see at least four of them.
Posted by Andrew - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 10 hours, 34 minutes ago

The fact that the female deputy watched and continued to watch time after time when she knew what she was watching destroys the prosecutions case. If she was being forced to watch then her only case is against the state of Florida. Instead of the masturbating prisoners, it’s the state of Florida that should be on trial.
Posted by John - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 10 hours, 20 minutes ago

Wow.... If only we would leave the stone age we might actually go further in the world… our prison is the least of our worries and should be glad this is hapening and not some rape scene the lady should honestly be fired for wasting money!!
Posted by Fatty - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 9 hours, 43 minutes ago

She must be ugly.
Posted by Devil's advocate - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 8 hours, 44 minutes ago

Let me play devil’s advocate.

Was he doing it constantly during her shifts? What if he knows that she will be the one watching the video at those times. Female officers have to guard against these types of things. Sexual harassment and violent crimes against female officers is real.

Inmates do have a lot of free time to learn shifts and officer habits. I bet money he knew these were her shifts and was getting off on her seeing it.

Waste of money? Yes

They should have come up with a solution internally at the prison.
Posted by Tom - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 8 hours, 29 minutes ago

She should JOIN him instead of bitching.

SEX = RELAXATION

RELAXATION = NO CRIMES
Posted by james - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 6 hours, 38 minutes ago

teach masturbation in sexual education classes
Posted by camy - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 6 hours, 22 minutes ago

lol u really suck at playing devils advocate…

its embarassing that our government employs such stupid people
Posted by Scott - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 6 hours, 19 minutes ago

Everyone knows that being raped frequently is a key part of rehabilitation. The next target should be inmates who use toothbrushes and related items as they are intended, rather than creating makeshift shanks.
Posted by Jane Abao - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 3 hours, 57 minutes ago

Is masturbation a disease? And one can be charged for that? If done publicly, why yes of course. Circumstances of the case reported however does not say, but emphatically mentions that the subject in question was alone. It is time to pay attention to stupid prison authorities. In time, they’ll make their inmates thrice worse than they found them.
Posted by Eric P. Metze - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 51 minutes ago

I wish we could convict that stupid deputy of something, but I don’t think being a worthless human being is necessarily criminal.
Posted by SOMEONE WITH SENSE - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 37 minutes ago

WHY THIS STORY ADDED TO THIS WEBSITE?HOW IS IT RELAVENT?
IS IT AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE?
HOW IS IT COMICAL?
NO SYMPATHY FOR THE INMATE?
IS IT A JOKE TO YOU THAT SOMEONE IS CONVICTED FOR WRONG REASONS?
Posted by Deena - 1 year, 1 month, 1 day, 36 minutes ago

Well, if this guy was in his private home then he could touch himself in private. He has obviously violated that right to privacy. I think prisoners have NO rights. I don’t think they need the comfort of a room for this type thing. Too comfortable for them. As for the guy who hates America, I wish he would leave!
Posted by Alex - 1 year, 1 month, 17 hours, 16 minutes ago

She saved him from going bling!
You jerks have to respect to the real heroes!

If he cannot stand the sins he must be castrated!
Posted by freddy - 1 year, 1 month, 14 hours, 29 minutes ago

Imagine how bad it would be if this happened in Texas!!
Posted by Dave_D - 1 year, 1 month, 11 hours, 6 minutes ago

The county would be well served to get rid of this idiot who is trying to force her standards on the inmates. She will start on her co-workers next. I’ll bet those lawsuits are going to cost the taxpayers plenty in just legal fees even if the county wins them all.
Posted by Rich - 1 year, 1 month, 10 hours, 44 minutes ago

We are not that far from the monkeys on the evolutionary scale. Maybe someday we will catch them. But based upon this prosecution I have my doubts!!!!
Posted by Fuldugin - 1 year, 1 month, 10 hours, 14 minutes ago

Should give really give that deputy something to call vulgar.
Posted by Dave_D - 1 year, 1 month, 9 hours ago

SOMEONE WITH SENSE: It’s relevant because it goes to show the stupid things the government is doing with taxpayer’s money. If I lived in Florida I would be raising tee total hell at the way the state is spending my money. Of course this is the same state that has Richard Paey in prison for 25 years even though they know he is innocent.
Posted by Conrad - 1 year, 1 month, 4 hours, 9 minutes ago

This isn’t about puritanism or stupidity. This is about power. I’ve had the misfortune to spend a bit of time in jail. A significant percentage of guards get off on exercising control over inmates in petty ways. That’s what this is. She isn’t offended by masturbation, she excited by cruelty. It’s a crappy job with lousy pay. But it does have its appeal for those of a sadistic bent.
Posted by Michael - 1 year, 4 weeks, 1 day, 15 hours, 38 minutes ago

Does it surprise you this is coming out of Florida? Retirement community for rednecks.
Posted by sharon - 1 year, 4 weeks, 1 day, 10 hours, 40 minutes ago

Given this situation, the deputy could have asked for reassignment, or turned her head(if she were really appalled ). I think she was getting off on it and she would be a fine case study for a shrink with a sense of humor. The inmate should start a law suit for violating him privacy. ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS ABSOLUTE BULL SHIT AND WE SHOULD BE STONED FOR WASTING MONEY ON THIS
Posted by artfuldodger - 1 year, 3 weeks, 6 days, 20 hours, 40 minutes ago

95% of the people in the world masturbate, and the other 5% are liars.
Posted by D to the D - 1 year, 3 weeks, 6 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes ago

I tend to agree with the Devil’s Advocate up there. Inmates tend to masturbate in front of female guards intentionally. Who’s to say this guy didn’t know who was watching him?

And “invasion of privacy” doesn’t work in prisons. Sorry guys. The first thing I think when I see stories like this is how funny they are. The second is, wow, I really don’t want to go to prison.
Posted by Michael Moore (Not the Fat MM) - 1 year, 3 weeks, 17 hours, 29 minutes ago

I think there is a serious violation of their human rights and they are being prosecuted by Religious “CULT MEMBERS” who claim to represent God-Jesus on Earth but have no such documentation or written evidence that they are working for God or the kingdom of heaven.

There is a long legal argument in favor of the prisoner’s right to release bodily fluids Ie: Urine-Defecation and or Sperm.

This is a natural process of the Human Body, and it was done in their cell’s where there is a toilet nearby.

Because a female corrections officer find it offensive, then she is in the wrong line of employment as I am sure there has been acts in that same jail of “Force oral or anal rape: of inmates.

Her reaction is based on her belief system or “Superstitions” and is much like the Pharmacy workers who are refusing to dispense Birth control or the morning after pill.

While they are entitled to be offended, in the course of their employment they are bound by the employer employee relationship and much act accordingly or ask for a transfer “Away” from the offensive conduct.

This way the employee is out of sight and doesn’t have to deal with something that offends their belife system on the job.

Other wise the employee can resign.

One of the Corners stones of the Christian religion is “Freewill” not the Imposing of ones “WILL” onto another.

God & Jesus most likely do not care if some masturbates, if they are the designers of the Human Right this urge and bodily function was Download into Human DNA and Behavior.

Why it might be something you want to witness much like a inmate going to pee or have BM, it is natural part of a Human being, and these inmates where not masturbating among the general population of the jail.

There fore this prosecution is a violation of the inmates Human rights.

For more information on Human Rights go to

HumanRightsUnion.com

Read up your Human Rights may be violated next.

MTM
Posted by Steven Santos - 1 year, 2 weeks, 6 days, 3 hours, 21 minutes ago

PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE come forward those psychologist, phsychiatrists, sex therapists, and those afore mentioned that have celebrity status...Dr. Phil, anyone… we need to expose the absurdity of this being an issue. Why should I even waste my time to comment on this? Because I am trying to protect myself from getting caught scratching my ass in public. Basic human emotions and physical needs are being ignored and stifled to an unhealthy level by government. It will manifest themselves in crimes. Did it ever occur to anyone that some laws are placed in the books just so we can break them?
Posted by Peter Schmit - 1 year, 3 days, 20 hours, 52 minutes ago

My balls hurt

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