a brief rant
This was triggered by the most recent Criminal Minds episode, but I noticed this in all kinds of shows: I find it really disturbing how on tv shows cops use prison rape as expected threat against suspects and criminals, as if it was condoned in the system as punishment following a crime. That is completely messed up and makes me dislike characters intensely, for being barbaric and inhumane rather than concerned about justice.
While it may not be true in practice, in theory prisoners are supposed to be safe from harm while locked up, no matter their crimes or what kind of scum they are, and not subject to random cruelty or punishment meted out by fellow inmates. That kind of thing, i.e. violence happening among inmates is a sign of a system broken and failing the prisoners that are its responsibility, and hero characters are not supposed to be okay with that.
While it may not be true in practice, in theory prisoners are supposed to be safe from harm while locked up, no matter their crimes or what kind of scum they are, and not subject to random cruelty or punishment meted out by fellow inmates. That kind of thing, i.e. violence happening among inmates is a sign of a system broken and failing the prisoners that are its responsibility, and hero characters are not supposed to be okay with that.