NationStates Jolt Archive

Or so says the 9th Circuit.

Female guards OKd to strip-search male inmates

Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer

Thursday, May 21, 2009

(05-20) 17:43 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A male prisoner can be strip-searched by a female guard even if male officers are available, a federal appeals court has ruled.

In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco dismissed an Arizona inmate's claims that jail officials had violated his rights by having a female guard trainee search inside his shorts and pat down his genitals.

The inmate, Charles Byrd, was in Maricopa County's minimum-security Durango Jail awaiting trial in October 2004 when officials ordered searches of everyone in his unit after a series of fights.

Byrd was ordered to strip down to his shorts. A female cadet from a training academy pulled out his waistband, patted down his groin through the shorts and felt his buttocks to check for contraband, the court said. The woman said the search had lasted no more than 20 seconds, while Byrd estimated one minute.

Byrd sued, claiming he had suffered pain and humiliation. A jury found no evidence that the probe had been conducted painfully, and the appeals court upheld a judge's ruling that the search was constitutional.

"We are troubled by the overall circumstances," said Judge Sandra Ikuta in this week's majority opinion, describing the search as both invasive and embarrassing. But she noted that the court had allowed female guards to pat down clothed male prisoners and observe naked male inmates, and said the jail had legitimate security needs in this case.

Although male guards were available, an officer testified that there hadn't been enough men to search all the inmates, Ikuta said. A ban on searches by female guards would "significantly limit" their usefulness, she said.

In dissent, Judge Ferdinand Fernandez, the only man on the panel, said, "Cross-gender strip searches are generally uncalled for and unreasonable," and should be allowed only in emergencies.

Byrd's lawyer, Jarrett Green, said he is discussing a possible appeal with his client, who is close to completing his sentence.

"Jail security would not have been in the slightest bit impaired or threatened if male officers, who were standing there perfectly available, were the ones to conduct the search," Green said.

E-mail Bob Egelko at begelko@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/21/BAKI17O6C0.DTL

Mmm, yeah baby... Wouldn't you like to pat ME down? :tongue:

Ok, all jokes aside... this one bothers me a bit because I know there are a lot of rules in place to keep male guards from stripping female inmates unless there's an emergency situation and I'm having a hard time understanding how the reverse doesn't hold true.

Ok, all jokes aside... this one bothers me a bit because I know there are a lot of rules in place to keep male guards from stripping female inmates unless there's an emergency situation and I'm having a hard time understanding how the reverse doesn't hold true.

Cos sexism has gone full circle.

Cos sexism has gone full circle.

No, it hasn't. This is regular sexism, which has always implied that men are only victims of sexual abuse when it is perpetrated by other men.

This just further illustrates that sex is dirty, sexual thoughts and feelings are sinful and the bare human body is yucky. *nod*

I agree with judge Fernandez. If it's an emergency, I don't see a problem (f searching m or m searching f). Otherwise, it really needs to be done by a member of the same gender.

Woohooo now to get arrested. Ohh wait this in the USA.

Is it only the gay inmates that get searched by women?

Ok, all jokes aside... this one bothers me a bit

Corollary: male guards can strip female inmates even if female guards are available.
:rolleyes:


Let's rewrite it all:
female inmates can be stripped only by hetero females or homo males
male inmates can be stripped only by hetero males or homo females
bisex guards can't strip anyone
transgender inmates have to strip themselves

Let's rewrite it all:
female inmates can be stripped only by hetero females or homo males
male inmates can be stripped only by hetero males or homo females
bisex guards can't strip anyone
transgender inmates have to strip themselves

Ok, new job idea: work at a prison, tell them I'm gay.

Ok, new job idea: work at a prison, tell them I'm gay.

I doubt they'll have uch trouble believing you. ;):p

I find it genuinely embarassing that the human race is still so ashamed of our bodies that this is an issue. I mean really.

I doubt they'll have uch trouble believing you. ;):p

I am a good actor. Thank you.

I find it genuinely embarassing that the human race is still so ashamed of our bodies that this is an issue. I mean really.

Bwahahaha, and I find it funny that you think this is what it is about.:D

Bwahahaha, and I find it funny that you think this is what it is about.:D

"In dissent, Judge Ferdinand Fernandez, the only man on the panel, said, "Cross-gender strip searches are generally uncalled for and unreasonable," and should be allowed only in emergencies."

"In dissent, Judge Ferdinand Fernandez, the only man on the panel, said, "Cross-gender strip searches are generally uncalled for and unreasonable," and should be allowed only in emergencies."

An you took from that it is because we humans are embarssed about our bodies?

Rather than say ohh I donno, unwanted sexual advances?

An you took from that it is because we humans are embarssed about our bodies?

Rather than say ohh I donno, unwanted sexual advances?

That's rather... unwarranted. Are you saying prision guards that are transgenders will make sexual advances to inmates while searching?:confused:

An you took from that it is because we humans are embarssed about our bodies?

Rather than say ohh I donno, unwanted sexual advances?

Which is why searches should be conducted with more than one guard present. On camera would be good too.

That's rather... unwarranted. Are you saying prision guards that are transgenders will make sexual advances to inmates while searching?:confused:

What? And you get Transgendered from cross gender?

What? And you get Transgendered from cross gender?

Your statement got me confused. Elaborate, please.

An you took from that it is because we humans are embarssed about our bodies?

Rather than say ohh I donno, unwanted sexual advances?

Why are people always so scared that other people seeing us even just mostly naked = OMGRAPESEXOHGODSIT'STERRIBLE? This isn't remotely logical. Why would he have been concerned about being made a frakking pass at? In what crazy porno-turns-reality alternate dimension did this take place in?

"mmm, if you could just remove your clothes.... yeah... like that... I'll need to do a... cavity search. Don't make me use the cuffs, you've been a very naughty boy."


Couldn't she have just been searching him?

Which is why searches should be conducted with more than one guard present. On camera would be good too.

They can't film it, I think.

Why are people always so scared that other people seeing us even just mostly naked = OMGRAPESEXOHGODSIT'STERRIBLE? This isn't remotely logical. Why would he have been concerned about being made a frakking pass at? In what crazy porno-turns-reality alternate dimension did this take place in?

"mmm, if you could just remove your clothes.... yeah... like that... I'll need to do a... cavity search. Don't make me use the cuffs, you've been a very naughty boy."


Couldn't she have just been searching him?

Great, now I'm turned on. Thanks a lot!

They can't film it, I think.

Why not?

Which is why searches should be conducted with more than one guard present. On camera would be good too.

Heheh so no charges of voyarism can be leveled you mean?:D

Why not?

Privacy? Perhaps?

Why not?

Infringment of their rights. Like how they can't put CCTV in public toilets.

Your statement got me confused. Elaborate, please.

Jord say that she can't belive that we are embaresad about our bodies, I laughed at her and said I think it funny that you think that is what this is about.

She quoted what the judge said, I said and from that you got the idea that this is about our embarresment about our bodies, rather than peoples fear of unwanted sexual advances.:D

Jord say that she can't belive that we are embaresad about our bodies, I laughed at her and said I think it funny that you think that is what this is about.

She quoted what the judge said, I said and from that you got the idea that this is about our embarresment about our bodies, rather than peoples fear of unwanted sexual advances.:D

But do you think this is the problem with prison searches?

Why are people always so scared that other people seeing us even just mostly naked = OMGRAPESEXOHGODSIT'STERRIBLE? This isn't remotely logical. Why would he have been concerned about being made a frakking pass at? In what crazy porno-turns-reality alternate dimension did this take place in?

"mmm, if you could just remove your clothes.... yeah... like that... I'll need to do a... cavity search. Don't make me use the cuffs, you've been a very naughty boy."


Couldn't she have just been searching him?

What you say is a logical conclusion, not as logical as mine but there you are. *shrug*

See it this way, what do you think would happen if I mooted the idea that we should have male assistants to help female shoppers get changed in the shops changeing room?

But do you think this is the problem with prison searches?

Do you think that male prison guards are above getting their jolies from frisking female prisoner?

Which is why searches should be conducted with more than one guard present. On camera would be good too.

I suddenly want two bisex female guards stripping me... and I also want the video recording as a souvenir... mmhhh... :p

Do you think that male prison guards are above getting their jolies from frisking female prisoner?

I think male guards are doing their job and are not intent on getting their jolies out of frisking female prisoners.

I think male guards are doing their job and are not intent on getting their jolies out of frisking female prisoners.

Hah, have you ever been to prision, or visted somebody in prison, do you know any screws?

I think male guards are doing their job and are not intent on getting their jolies out of frisking female prisoners.

I always did. :p

Hah, have you ever been to prision, or visted somebody in prison, do you know any screws?

No, I have never been to prison. Have you?

I always did. :p

Well, you're sick. But I knew that already. :wink:

Well, you're sick. But I knew that already. :wink:

Nah, actually, I haven't frisked anyone in a long time. I always let my partner do it - she was a woman, so women didn't take it offensively, and the guys actually enjoyed it. Plus, that way, I didn't have to do it.

No, I have never been to prison. Have you?

Only to vist friends and family. Yeah prison guards are not umm uncorroptable, nor are they nice people. Violence is a way of life for them and many do the job because they enjoy it.

Yeah prison guards are not umm uncorroptable, nor are they nice people. Violence is a way of life for them and many do the job because they enjoy it.

I still can't fathom that ALL prison guards would do what you imply.

I still can't fathom that ALL prison guards would do what you imply.

No not all, of course not. it's not just that though is it. prisoners can put in claims of sexual abuse if we allow it.

Did you see post to jord about men working in female changing rooms? Would we allow that?

No not all, of course not. it's not just that though is it. prisoners can put in claims of sexual abuse if we allow it.

But your post, and pardon me of course, made it seem like ALL prison guards were not above frisking female prisoners.

Did you see post to jord about men working in female changing rooms? Would we allow that?

*shrugs*
I'm not sure. I've been friends with gay men all my life, my best friend who's gay has been with me inside changing rooms, he's more like a sister to me and there's never been tension nor shame that he's seen me almost naked so...

I'm not sure about how I feel about this subject in particular, tbqh.

I'm not sure. I've been friends with gay men all my life, my best friend who's gay has been with me inside changing rooms, he's more like a sister to me and there's never been tension nor shame that he's seen me almost naked so...

*adds him to "The List"*

*adds him to "The List"*

Wtf?

transgender inmates have to strip themselves

Poor transgender inmates...they don't get guards :(

Wtf?

Nothing, nothing. Don't worry about it. *hides "The List* from view*

Nothing, nothing. Don't worry about it. *hides "The List* from view*

:tongue:

*shrugs*
I'm not sure. I've been friends with gay men all my life, my best friend who's gay has been with me inside changing rooms, he's more like a sister to me and there's never been tension nor shame that he's seen me almost naked so...

I'm not sure about how I feel about this subject in particular, tbqh.

Well you know I'm not talking of gay men but straight men.

Well you know I'm not talking of gay men but straight men.

I know. But gay men are men too.

I know. But gay men are men too.

Yep but I don't think many women fear unwanted sexual advances from gay men huh!:p

Yep but I don't think many women fear unwanted sexual advances from gay men huh!:p

And yet some gay men have expressed liking the bodies of women. My best friend likes to see breasts and he even has a shape he likes. But I do understand from where you're coming from.

I know. But gay men are men too.

Really?

Really?

Yes, really.

Yes, really.

Learn something new everyday.

Nothing, nothing. Don't worry about it. *hides "The List* from view*

If the list is complete deposit it in safety deposit box number 7 along with half my payment and I will commence operation.

Why are people always so scared that other people seeing us even just mostly naked = OMGRAPESEXOHGODSIT'STERRIBLE? This isn't remotely logical.

Partly because rape and assault and sexual harassment and so forth are so disgustingly common that quite a lot of people have already experienced them, and would very much prefer not to do it again.

If some strange man tries to grope me, I am not at ALL okay with that. Why would I suddenly be okay with it because he has on a uniform?

Partly because rape and assault and sexual harassment and so forth are so disgustingly common that quite a lot of people have already experienced them, and would very much prefer not to do it again.

If some strange man tries to grope me, I am not at ALL okay with that. Why would I suddenly be okay with it because he has on a uniform?

awww. *throws away uniform*

Which is why searches should be conducted with more than one guard present. On camera would be good too.Then posted on YouTube.

Privacy? Perhaps?
Infringment of their rights. Like how they can't put CCTV in public toilets.

I wouldn't have though privacy was the top priority when one is strip searching a prisoner. If there's a security camera then there's less chance the two guards will act....inappropriately and cover each other's backs.

I wouldn't have though privacy was the top priority when one is strip searching a prisoner. If there's a security camera then there's less chance the two guards will act....inappropriately and cover each other's backs.

but a greater chance that the guards will act inappropriately and try and sell it on the internet.

Partly because rape and assault and sexual harassment and so forth are so disgustingly common that quite a lot of people have already experienced them, and would very much prefer not to do it again.

If some strange man tries to grope me, I am not at ALL okay with that. Why would I suddenly be okay with it because he has on a uniform?

My point was that it's sad that it's still the case. With good reasons to be worried about it, it only makes it even more sad.

In a formal situation where someone is being searched, with external witnesses, I don't see how it would be logical that this guy is claiming that it was wrong that he be searched by someone with genitals that doesn't match him. In other situations, I'd understand your point more. I just don't see it here. Similarly, I genuinely do think it odd that we are so sensitive about our bodies that we can't stand other people looking at them. Maybe there are good reasons sometimes. I just think it's upsetting they're the first thing we jump to.

but a greater chance that the guards will act inappropriately and try and sell it on the internet.

Thus ensuring their conviction.

Similarly, I genuinely do think it odd that we are so sensitive about our bodies that we can't stand other people looking at them.

If your body looked like mine, you would understand. :(

If your body looked like mine, you would understand. :(

Let's not start competing over this. :P

Maybe there are good reasons sometimes. I just think it's upsetting they're the first thing we jump to.


Bwahahahah and agian I think it's funny. You see it seems only you have jumped to that conclusion so I guess you are sad at your own thoughts?

It's not so much about body issues, it's about the inherent power balance of being forced to strip naked in front of a clothed person of authority. It's meant to be humiliating.

Bwahahahah and agian I think it's funny. You see it seems only you have jumped to that conclusion so I guess you are sad at your own thoughts?

I decided recently that you are not the sort of person I want to talk to. I tell you this only so you can save yourself time trying to goad me. I won't be communicating with you beyond this.

Let's not start competing over this. :P

Because I look like this:

http://blog.ugo.com/images/uploads/FatBastard-Salute.jpg

and you know you'll lose. :p

It's not so much about body issues, it's about the inherent power balance of being forced to strip naked in front of a clothed person of authority. It's meant to be humiliating.

I'd prefer a woman to do it.

I decided recently that you are not the sort of person I want to talk to. I tell you this only so you can save yourself time trying to goad me. I won't be communicating with you beyond this.

*shrug* Ohh well. I do find it odd though that when other people make the same point I have made you don't seem to mind that?

Perhaps it is my manner. :D

Perhaps it is my manner. :D

You mean going out of your way to be an immature twat? Maybe, huh?

It's not so much about body issues, it's about the inherent power balance of being forced to strip naked in front of a clothed person of authority. It's meant to be humiliating.Require the guards conducting the search to be naked also: problem solved!

Because I look like this:

http://blog.ugo.com/images/uploads/FatBastard-Salute.jpg

and you know you'll lose. :p

I never realised you were such a fine example of highlands virility. *heart flutters* Where I am, we scots are so hard to find. :P

You mean going out of your way to be an immature twat? Maybe, huh?

Bwahahha. I laugh at a stupid comments when I see one and that is both immature and twatish is it?

Shame I thought you and I were friends :(

Have I offended you? Did I offend Jord when I pointed out that what she said is plain sillyness, is it offenceive to point out somebodies mistake? Ohh yeah I guess it is if that person is not able to take critisism and at least try to see the other point of view.

Anybody else, have I offended anybody else here?

Anybody else, have I offended anybody else here?

Um.. yeah, why not?

Bwahahha. I laugh at a stupid comments when I see one and that is both immature and twatish is it?

Shame I thought you and I were friends :(

Have I offended you? Did I offend Jord when I pointed out that what she said is plain sillyness, is it offenceive to point out somebodies mistake? Ohh yeah I guess it is if that person is not able to take critisism and at least try to see the other point of view.

Anybody else, have I offended anybody else here?

What looks like an imminent derailment offends me.

My point was that it's sad that it's still the case. With good reasons to be worried about it, it only makes it even more sad.

In a formal situation where someone is being searched, with external witnesses, I don't see how it would be logical that this guy is claiming that it was wrong that he be searched by someone with genitals that doesn't match him. In other situations, I'd understand your point more. I just don't see it here. Similarly, I genuinely do think it odd that we are so sensitive about our bodies that we can't stand other people looking at them. Maybe there are good reasons sometimes. I just think it's upsetting they're the first thing we jump to.

I think it's upsetting, too, but not really illogical. I mean...I've been sexually assaulted. I've had multiple guys try to grope me on the train. I've had guys shriek disgusting things at me out of car windows. I've been sexually harassed by a client at work - and had my male boss and co-workers insist that it "wasn't a big deal." I've had a guy follow me home while very obviously rubbing his crotch, and another guy grab my arm and try to pull me into an alley. Given that people trying to hurt you in specifically sexual ways is a fact of life for many, many people, I just can't see the presumption that a given person might be trying to hurt you as irrational. Fucking depressing, but all-too-logical, really. :(

I think it's upsetting, too, but not really illogical. I mean...I've been sexually assaulted. I've had multiple guys try to grope me on the train. I've had guys shriek disgusting things at me out of car windows. I've been sexually harassed by a client at work - and had my male boss and co-workers insist that it "wasn't a big deal." I've had a guy follow me home while very obviously rubbing his crotch, and another guy grab my arm and try to pull me into an alley. Given that people trying to hurt you in specifically sexual ways is a fact of life for many, many people, I just can't see the presumption that a given person might be trying to hurt you as irrational. Fucking depressing, but all-too-logical, really. :(

Ah, the bain of being attractive.

I decided recently that you are not the sort of person I want to talk to. I tell you this only so you can save yourself time trying to goad me. I won't be communicating with you beyond this.

Jord, use one of these:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/DrkHelmet/Forum%20Pictures/bsprotect.jpg

Jord, use one of these:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/DrkHelmet/Forum%20Pictures/bsprotect.jpg

That's fucking awesome.

Ah, the bain of being attractive.

Without getting into discussing whether or not I'm attractive, that's...really not it. The time the guy tried to grab me on the street, for example, I was wearing a bulky winter coat down to my knees with the hood up, and it was dark out. About all he could possibly have gathered about my appearance was "female." Sexual violence doesn't just happen to "hot chicks." It doesn't even happen particularly more often to "hot chicks."

I think it's upsetting, too, but not really illogical. I mean...I've been sexually assaulted. I've had multiple guys try to grope me on the train. I've had guys shriek disgusting things at me out of car windows. I've been sexually harassed by a client at work - and had my male boss and co-workers insist that it "wasn't a big deal." I've had a guy follow me home while very obviously rubbing his crotch, and another guy grab my arm and try to pull me into an alley. Given that people trying to hurt you in specifically sexual ways is a fact of life for many, many people, I just can't see the presumption that a given person might be trying to hurt you as irrational. Fucking depressing, but all-too-logical, really. :(

I'm sorry to hear that. my awareness of such events is often not so nuanced.

Ok, all jokes aside... this one bothers me a bit because I know there are a lot of rules in place to keep male guards from stripping female inmates unless there's an emergency situation and I'm having a hard time understanding how the reverse doesn't hold true.
Ah, yeah. Pulling back on topic, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If you're going to enforce one set of gendered rules, you need to also enforce their corollary.

I have no problem with guards stripping prisoners male or female. Because prisoners don't have any rights, they forfeited their rights when they committed a crime and will serve out their respective punishments.

I have no problem with guards stripping prisoners male or female. Because prisoners don't have any rights, they forfeited their rights when they committed a crime and will serve out their respective punishments.

You don't forfeit your rights when you commit a crime.

I have no problem with guards stripping prisoners male or female. Because prisoners don't have any rights, they forfeited their rights when they committed a crime and will serve out their respective punishments.

I knew someone would say this eventually. They always do.

I knew someone would say this eventually. They always do.

It's like a rule, you know.

I'm just amazed we got to page 6.

Ah, yeah. Pulling back on topic, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If you're going to enforce one set of gendered rules, you need to also enforce their corollary.Disagree a tad here. It's more likely for guys to sexually assault gals, hence preventing a good deal of opportunities for it happening sounds like a good idea to me.

Without getting into discussing whether or not I'm attractive, that's...really not it. The time the guy tried to grab me on the street, for example, I was wearing a bulky winter coat down to my knees with the hood up, and it was dark out. About all he could possibly have gathered about my appearance was "female." Sexual violence doesn't just happen to "hot chicks." It doesn't even happen particularly more often to "hot chicks."

We are not trying to put that sort of thing on you.
The whole notion that woman was asking for it is repulsive.
Moreover it is insulting to men because it says we can not control our own impulses.
When someone does what you have described it is the fault of the perpetrator and no one else's fault.

I have no problem with guards stripping prisoners male or female. Because prisoners don't have any rights, they forfeited their rights when they committed a crime and will serve out their respective punishments.
Yeah, because it's not like people might be held in jail awaiting trial to determine their guilt or anything. :rolleyes:

Disagree a tad here. It's more likely for guys to sexually assault gals, hence preventing a good deal of opportunities for it happening sounds like a good idea to me.
Just because one is more likely doesn't mean that rules shouldn't be in place to prevent the other.

I would say it should be up to both inmate and guard.

I wouldn't mind being searched by a female guard. I might mind being searched by a male one.

there might be women who would rather be searched by a male guard than a female one... emphasis on MIGHT...

but a greater chance that the guards will act inappropriately and try and sell it on the internet.

Well then... Can't trust the officers male or female to not grope or assault someone and can't have it filmed cause they will sell the film and then be sued.

I guess the only other thing to do is have the prisoner strip behind glass, have some sort of x ray thing in that room and have a spot on the glass with many small holes in it where the inmate will have to back up to and spread em so the dog can sniff their ass for dope.

Now just trying to figure how to go about it when they do find something in their ass or vag. Actually .. what they do about that now .. get a doctor?

Now just trying to figure how to go about it when they do find something in their ass. Actually .. what they do about that now .. get a doctor?

ex-lax. :p

Now just trying to figure how to go about it when they do find something in their ass or vag. Actually .. what they do about that now .. get a doctor?

A latex glove, some lube, and pick two fingers.

Not sure if that would remove a shank lol - was to Gal.

Yeah but who does it Ifreann

Well either way .. in my scenario it would have to be a doc.. if we can't trust the officers to strip em we certainly couldn't trust them to go digging in their orifices.

Not sure if that would remove a shank lol - was to Gal.

Yeah but who does it Ifreann

Doctor or nurse I expect.

Also, because this thread is about cavity searches, and I can:

Who should perform cavity searches on children when necessary?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/DrkHelmet/Forum%20Pictures/cavity.jpg

Not sure if that would remove a shank lol - was to Gal.

Yeah but who does it Ifreann

just use a really powerful magnet.

Also, because this thread is about cavity searches, and I can:

Who should perform cavity searches on children when necessary?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/DrkHelmet/Forum%20Pictures/cavity.jpg

I guess as Ifreann said.. a doctor or nurse. Especially if it was something that could puncture.

An you took from that it is because we humans are embarssed about our bodies?

Rather than say ohh I donno, unwanted sexual advances?

If it were about sexual advances, wouldn't it be the sexual orientation of the person in question that mattered, rather than their gender?

If it were about sexual advances, wouldn't it be the sexual orientation of the person in question that mattered, rather than their gender?

Well both. However considering the norm is hetrosexuality, then it is easy to see why many woman would not like to be stripped serached by any man.

Do you also belive then that the issue is one of embaresment of our bodies?

Ok, all jokes aside... this one bothers me a bit because I know there are a lot of rules in place to keep male guards from stripping female inmates unless there's an emergency situation and I'm having a hard time understanding how the reverse doesn't hold true.

Because the reverse is about women which we must protect with our lives while when we talk about men it doesn't matter what we do to them.

Well both. However considering the norm is hetrosexuality, then it is easy to see why many woman would not like to be stripped serached by any man.

Do you also belive then that the issue is one of embaresment of our bodies?

I'm not sure that embarrassment is necessarily the right word, but to a certain extent, I guess you might say that. I think the issue is that we have made the human body taboo - and doubly so when anything involves two people that are not the same sex (despite the fact that someone of the same sex might actually enjoy it more than someone of the opposite sex). If we didn't equate nudity or the manipulation of certain body parts with sex, even when it is non-sexual, I don't think it would be seen as a problem.

That said, I am a product of my society. Personally, I would be more comfortable being searched (insofar as such a search could be comfortable at all) by a woman. In kind of a weird twist, I'd actually probably still be more comfortable with it even if I knew she was a lesbian. I haven't really figured out why on the latter. I think it's just a weird double standard invoked by the fact that heterosexuality is assumed to be the norm, and our responses to people of different sexes tends to get affected by that assumption.

Also, because this thread is about cavity searches, and I can:

Who should perform cavity searches on children when necessary?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b383/DrkHelmet/Forum%20Pictures/cavity.jpg

Yay! :D

Yay! :D

I've been waiting for like a year to use that picture on this forum. :p

I've been waiting for like a year to use that picture on this forum. :p

Yeah, I have a few waiting like that too. :tongue:

Yeah, I have a few waiting like that too. :tongue:

Glad I'm not the only one. I have a few still waiting in the wings.

Glad I'm not the only one. I have a few still waiting in the wings.

Have you ever caught yourself trying to direct a thread toward a particular subject so you can post one of them?

Have you ever caught yourself trying to direct a thread toward a particular subject so you can post one of them?

I admit nothing.

Disagree a tad here. It's more likely for guys to sexually assault gals, hence preventing a good deal of opportunities for it happening sounds like a good idea to me.
More likely? Sure.

Doesn't also happen? Bullshit, and while it's less common, it's also far less likely to be reported, taken seriously, or result in a conviction. (http://www.vaonline.org/vls6.html)

You need clear policies designed to eliminate sexual abuse of prisoners regardless of what sex they are.

More likely? Sure.

Doesn't also happen? Bullshit, and while it's less common, it's also far less likely to be reported, taken seriously, or result in a conviction. (http://www.vaonline.org/vls6.html)

You need clear policies designed to eliminate sexual abuse of prisoners regardless of what sex they are.

I would think requiring that another officer be present would be a good policy there - again, regardless of the sex of the participants.