Which of the following actions is considered sexual harassment?

The action of touching an inmate without consent is recognized as sexual harassment because it violates the personal boundaries and autonomy of the individual. In any professional or correctional environment, consent is a crucial factor in interactions involving personal space and physical contact. When physical contact occurs without the explicit consent of the other person, it can create an uncomfortable, threatening, or hostile environment, which aligns with the definition of sexual harassment.

Understanding consent is essential in ensuring a safe and respectful environment, particularly in a correctional setting where power dynamics and vulnerability are heightened. Actions that disregard an individual's right to consent can lead to serious legal and ethical consequences for the person initiating that contact.

In contrast, making jokes about food, complimenting a co-worker on their performance, and having a casual friendly conversation do not inherently violate boundaries or the principle of consent, as they are not sexual in nature and do not involve inappropriate physical contact.