"For me, I have found no justice. While I was in prison, the fear of retaliation by staff or other prisoners haunted me and prevented me from reporting the rape right away. My fear led me to attempt suicide just to escape the pain of my situation. Because my previous complaints to prison officials resulted in sharp rebukes, and the prison psychologist's assistance was limited, I felt hopeless. …They could write disciplinary cases to keep me in prison for years beyond my expected release date. They could ship me to a rougher unit where I would be guaranteed to face additional abuse.

"I was not even safe among other prisoners. If a prison gang member found out that I was raped, I would be marked as vulnerable or as a 'punk.' These labels practically guarantee being raped by predatory prisoners and gang members. When I first entered prison in Texas, and each time I was transferred to a new unit, gang members threatened me with violence. Fortunately for me, I managed to fight off their attempts to prostitute me and steal my money. Others have not been so lucky.

"Many men and women in Texas experience sexual abuse at the hands of officers and other prisoners but their pleas for help go unanswered by administrators and staff. …Now that I am out of prison, I have not forgotten the people still behind bars."

Excerpted from a written statement submitted to the Commission