Prison environment and how does it affects a person?

Question

I'm writing a character (28 years old, male, perfectionist, introverted used to work in economics) who goes to prison (due to "consensual" sexual activities with a prepubescent girl, aged 10-12 when she was with him)

Because of many antecedents (plot related, too long to write here), he had to go to prison for only 1 year.

Still I'm wondering how would the consequences be for him, and how is the environment there (even if in that place prisons are supposed to be safer for the prisoners, I just want guidelines)

Answer 1

I'm just some person guessing at this, but since he's a perfectionist and due to the nature of the crime, he would probably be bullied (possibly sexually) by other inmates. He might come out subdued, feeling violated, and/or solemn.  

Answer 2

in prison its the rule of the jungle, if your strong, either alone, or with your posse, you will make it , if your not you wont, its as simple as that, the guards cant protect you the only way for a weak person to survive is to go into protective custody, and that is one miserable way to live, its like a prison inside a prison. people charged with sexual crimes are at the bottom of the totem pole  

Answer 3

A very interesting book I would recommend that you check out in regard to researching prison life, specifically psychological effects would be "The Lucifer Effect" by Philip Zimbardo.  Really interesting read, a bit long, but very interesting.