Sex in prison was living a fantasy in a nightmare.

I never understood why I was so sexually charged behind bars maybe it was the open showers, the sweaty gym and no pressures of a serious relationship. There was something extremely erotic about having sex in captivity. It was intense, rough, violent and amazing. I will never forget the first time I had sex in prison. The first thing I always tell people is that there are only five things an inmate can do in prison: read, play cards, watch TV, exercise and engage in lots of sex. However, as a gay man in prison, there is no TV show that could capture the raw experience of being incarcerated in America. I understand why people are curious about prison life, which is wrongly glamorized by Hollywood. I have come to realize that people do not care if prison is oppressive and creates a cycle of violence - they are more eager to hear all the violent, sexual and gruesome stories I have to offer.

Is prison like the television shows “Orange is the New Black” or “Oz”? I am asked this question when I tell someone I spent seven years of my life in prison.