Brutality behind bars

National | Savage prison gang rapes turn many run-of-the-mill prisoners into violent felons-in-waiting. Reformers say it's time to rein in jailhouse predators | Anne Morse

When the gavel came down, a Texas man named John found himself sentenced to an eight-year prison term for burglary. He was sent to the Beto Unit, known for being the roughest prison in Texas.

It didn't take John long to figure out why. Shortly after he arrived, John—a 140-pound white man—was viciously gang-raped by black inmates.

The experience left John with a burning hatred for African-Americans. A gang of white supremacists—who had reportedly asked guards to put John in the black section of the prison—now encouraged him to join them in exchange for protection.

Upon his release, John's rage exploded into violence. Riding in a pickup late one night, John and two friends spotted an African-American ex-con named James Byrd, and picked him up. A few minutes later a fight broke out. John William King and his companions slashed Byrd's throat, tied him to the back of the truck, and dragged him to death.