Epidemiological and Medico-Legal Profile of Sexual Assault Perpetrators Incarcerated at the Labé Civil Prison

The aim of this study was to describe the socio-demographic, medico-legal and judicial characteristics of inmates accused or convicted of sexual assault incarcerated at the Labé Civil Prison, Guinea. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted over two months, from February 1st to March 31st, 2024. Recruitment was exhaustive and included all inmates, whether convicted or awaiting trial. Among 287 inmates incarcerated at the Labé Civil Prison, 52 (18.1%) were detained because they had been accused or convicted of a sexual assault offence. The mean age was 26.49 ± 10.05 years, with a range from 16 to 66 years. All participants were male inmates who had been accused or convicted of a sexual assault offence. Young adults aged 16 - 26 years represented 61.54% (32/52) of the inmates accused or convicted of sexual assault. Among inmates accused or convicted of sexual assault, the alleged victim most frequently knew the accused person (71.2%). According to judicial records, the alleged assault most frequently occurred at the accused person’s residence (46.15%). Regarding employment at the time of incarceration, 59.62% (31/52) were employed, compared to 40.38% (21/52) who were unemployed. Regarding occupation before incarceration, 59.62% were employed and 40.38% had no regular occupation. Motorcycle taxi drivers constituted the largest occupational group among employed participants. This study provides a description of the socio-demographic, medico-legal and judicial profile of inmates accused or convicted of sexual assault in one Guinean prison. These findings may help inform prison health services, judicial authorities and future multicentre studies, but they should not be interpreted as representing all perpetrators of sexual assault in Guinea.