TJ Parsell: Combatting Sexual Assault in the Prison System (Inside & Out)

[@veronicam2942]

This is just horrible! No man or woman deserves to be raped in prison. It’s not part of the punishment. I think the guards are complicit, and it is disgusting!

[@crazyhai8155]

Meh. Whilst you're technically correct (that nobody should be raped in prison), I think plenty of people don't feel huge sympathy re: certain convicts being raped, e.g. rapists (of either children or adults), other sadistic crimes, etc. I'd personally also have a hard time summoning much concern, for criminals who violently/sexually abuse the elderly or animals. But a dumb kid - whose decision-making capacities are not yet fully formed - who stupidly decided to hold up a shop with a toy gun? Of course it was a serious crime, because of the fear he instilled. But absolutely his punishment SHOULDN'T have included any sort of sexual abuse. Not only is it brutal for a minor to go through himself - it's only going to INCREASE the chances of reoffending. Such kids are going to be left with such trauma, such anger, they're then at much higher risk of (all manner of) offending in the future. Which is terrible, when they could have been deterred from crime. But after such sexual abuse, they are at higher risk of (destructively) wanting to regain a sense of 'power' back, they are more likely to abuse substances (and commit associated crimes) to cope, less likely to form protective factors against reoffending (such as trusting relationships, a sense of 'belonging' to - rather than just anger towards - society, etc.) It just does no good, all round.

[@minoshkadowner5277]

Sexual violence is hard to talk about, even harder for a MAN. The best way to move.... Is to do what This man Tim is doin. Keep up the good work. God bless u.

[@mattsheezy5469]

TJ always seems like he’s sad... his book was heartbreaking.

[@paulhoff-3704]

TJ agreed to be the property of at least 4 different guys. One tore his asshole. No one held him down

[@Rage_Harder_Then_Relax]

@@paulhoff-3704 LOL....What a caveman you are. Wouldn't be surprised if you like the thought of rape. men OR women.

[@aflawedhuman2046]

I read it too. I hope wherever he is, that hes happy and living a good life

[@JGD185]

@@paulhoff-3704 in the book he says he was tranquilized and forced down, basically like a date rape drug

[@KennethChristian-f1k]

@@paulhoff-3704I just read it, they spiked his prison hooch with psychiatric medication and gang raped him. He was only 16 years old

[@teeyoo9315]

TJ Parsell book is a MUST READ for not just prison rape victims for for ALL rape and/or victims of sexual abuse. The entire point of the book is that whatever happened to you whether in prison or any other institutional setting or even family member should NOT be a determining factor of how you should conduct your life. It takes great courage and fortitude form him to come forward and speak about what happened to him in prison in front of everyone. But sometimes admitting sexual abuse can be a cathartic and/or enlightening experience to victims. TJ Parsell has given a voice to people who were unable to speak up about sexual abuse. If you haven’t read the book, Please do so. His Book brought me to tears. I wish I can hug him and tell him everything is going to be ok. He still looks sad

[@milesaway3422]

He tried to make a movie of it, but I’ve never been able to find it

[@skatergrl51savh45]

That’s right TJ, if the inmates say it isn’t going to happen, it isn’t going to happen. You absolutely deserve a Nobel Prize, love you, you are amazing! Keep on keeping on! It wasn’t all for nothing, God meant it for good! Blessings brother!

[@jwsmith1470]

@SkaterGrl51 Sav'h I applaud those inmates for not allowing it... but that of course begs the question: How did this subculture of prisoner-rape ever begin and become so prevailant in the first place?? It would be one thing if it occured only here or there or in various isolated places or otherwise at random (ie, as is generally the case with most types of sexual assaults when they occur in the free world). However... prisoner-rape and all of the various "themes" surrounding it seems to almost be standard and par for the course regardless of where the prisons are located (whether it is California, Texas, New Mexico or New York... or in North America, Australia or in South Africa). About the only exception to this is to be found in places like Denmark and Scandinavia where the prisons there are more like college dorms than they are like dungeons or fortresses.

[@terriharrigan7249]

God bless him, pray he stays strong. May his perpetrators get THEIR KARMA

[@tee83521]

T.J. u truly r a remarkable man. I use to b one of those Fools who would say if i got raped in prison i would kill that or those muthfuckers, @ 17yrs old i weighed 140lbs, i wouldnt have done shit! I believe self preservation is in all of us, u did what u had to do to survive. Im a 52 yr old man, father of 2, i dont even want to imagine my kids having to endure what u had to go through. U Sir r 100% MAN. Your inner strenght is super human. I salute you!

[@ToonandBBfan]

Prison rape isn't about sex. Its about power. When your locked up and deprived of your liberty and freedom, by raping another inmate and making him your "bitch" - you effectively lift yourself up 1 notch as there is now someone lower down the pecking order than you. (just trying to understand the psychology of it)

[@crazyhai8155]

That's generally what rape is about, anyway ('power'). But yes, I can see how in prison - it has extra implications, in regards to the nature of that 'power'. It's almost a form of 'self-protection' for the perpetrator. To deter violence in prison is near-impossible - but the more you make yourself 'cock of the wall', the more chance you have of deterring your own victimisation. And so, having your own 'bitch' - it all adds to your reputation as high up on the totem pole, and somebody to think twice about messing with. And then of course, there are just general rapists in prison, too 🤮 The ones who have a huge sense of sexual entitlement, lack of empathy, etc. on the outside - and just carry on their offending inside.

[@DerekCastleSr.]

It’s definitely about sex.

[@user-gc5gr6wy4k]

He is such an awesome human being. God bless him!

[@CALLTHEWAHMBULANCE]

What a survivor amazing man i can't imagine the pain, im so happy for him now

[@paulhoff-3704]

Reading his book. 200 pages in and hes been raped 5 times and was just bought by Rock lol. Sick shit

[@sterneis1]

Great work.

[@VredesStall]

@07:00 - 07:08 That is a very good question. Inmates allegedly claim to despise "chomos" and child predators... but engage in inmate rape. Even more baffling is the fact that almost all prison rapes are perpetrated by men who identify (or at least claim to identify) as heterosexual / straight both before and after prison. In summary... they dont tolerare "chomos" but engage in prisoner-rape and identify as being straight. Makes alot of sense, doesnt it??

[@bobbymahaffey6778]

Seems strange he had certian things happen to him making it the focus of him life he's even makin a living his whole life is dedacated from 17 to21 wondder if he ever went to collage if not its just more impressive. Helping people worth and he's looks like hes put his past ways behind .💯way to go TJ tell your story

[@KennethChristian-f1k]

He went to NYU

[@judifarmer1586]

He robbed a photo booth with a toy gun. He went to college and didn't talk about for 20 years.

[@whateverman3876]

prison and jail is the ghetto. its about surviving

[@milesaway3422]

Does anyone know where to watch his movie?

[@judifarmer1586]

It's a short film. Fish: A boy in a man's prison. (8minutes)

[@milesaway3422]

@@judifarmer1586 thanks! I’ve tried to find it and even written out to some people on the crew, but can’t get a copy. Do you have any ideas?

[@slickwilly4722]

Did the folks at the photo mat you robbed deserve to feel like they would die if they didn't comply with you. How many crimes did you commit and we're not convicted of. How can you put yourself in a non violent category?

[@crazyhai8155]

Of course his own victims didn't deserve what happened. And of course he deserved punishment. The point is, however, that justice is meant to be BALANCED. It's meant to take all relevant factors into account - to weigh up the most appropriate balance of justice, for the victims AND the perpetrators (though that's notoriously difficult to achieve, of course). And so, here we have a stupid kid (with who knows what background). His decision-making capacities are not yet fully-formed, and he inanely decides to rob a store with a toy gun. ABSOLUTELY it's a serious crime, because of the fear instilled in the victims. But what should the aim be, in dealing with it? Punishment? Revenge? Rehabilitation? Whatever the aim, however, sexual abuse of a minor SHOULDN'T be part of the punishment - and it isn't likely to meet whatever goals that the justice system is trying to achieve. Indeed, in cases where kids have made serious - but basically stupid - mistakes, they can often be put back on the straight and narrow with the right balance of rehabilitation and punishment. But traumatise and humiliate them in THAT way, and they're at serious risk of just becoming angrier and angrier. They're more likely to become violent, turn to substances (and associated crime), feel so angry at society they don't want to learn to be a productive part of it, etc. It's counterproductive.

[@judifarmer1586]

The justice system put him in the non-violent category.

[@paulhoff-3704]

Read his book. Mosely ripped him UP

[@rllydeaigo]

Huh? Explain

[@moregainsmorehs]

You wish it was ya huh?

[@paulhoff-3704]

@@moregainsmorehs If you're gonna reply to me please don't muse Ebonics. Unless this is how you talk

[@JGD185]

@@paulhoff-3704 you seem to post on all his videos and talk about how someone ripped his rectum. It's weird. Maybe you wish it was you instead.

[@shawnific]

Is that all you took from his book? Vomiting on your face is the only thing that will help me forget your disgusting comment.

[@underratedcritic1983]

What does TJ stand for?

[@jhyland87]

Tijuana!

[@OntarioHIVTreatment]

Timothy J

[@jeanarcouette2897]

Trevor James

[@chimaubochi5698]

It takes a lot of guts to talk about an extremely taboo topic.

[@gets187]

If you live that life you best be ready to die for it . If not expect to go to prison for a very long time . Don't go out like no punk though

[@indiamamita7242]

So what it's he's point really really and I love to know if he gay now and he wasn't before prison

[@crazyhai8155]

People aren't 'turned gay'. 🤦‍♀️ He was gay BEFORE prison - and indeed, he talks about the prior difficulties he was having, coming to terms with that.

[@KennethChristian-f1k]

@@crazyhai8155in the book on page 92 he says his sexually was undecided up until he got to prison at which point it felt as though his choices were taken away. He had gotten his high school sweetheart pregnant before hand so 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@paulhoff-3704]

TJ Parsell got ripped apart by my homey Nate and Mosley

[@vatricegeorge]

Your homies are sick disgusting predators. Hopefully they are still incarcerated.

[@shawnific]

a fate he did not deserve but you sure do.

[@paulhoff-3704]

@@shawnific For someone who has ANAL in his name huh? Don't do a crime if you can't do time 😇

[@curtdawg7216]

Ur just jealous.

[@paulhoff-3704]

Tell them what Rock did too!!!