Don't Drop the Soap

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Don't Drop the Soap is a prison-themed board game designed by art student John Sebelius as a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Contents

[edit] Game

Don’t Drop the Soap is a board game that consists of six levels, the game set comes with five tokens. Three of the tokens represent human figures: Sal "The Butcher", a muscular character called "Anferny" and "Wheelz", a wheelchair bound token. The other two tokens are a bag of cocaine and a handgun.[1] The game revolves around prison life with the ultimate goal of players being to make parole.[2]

The title of the game refers to a phrase sometimes used in reference to rape in men's prisons.[2] Within the game, if a player "drops the soap" that player is required to return to the beginning of the board.[2] The game carries a warning label that it is intended for mature players only.[2] The game went on sale in a Lawrence, Kansas hobby shop on January 31, 2008 and is also sold on Sebelius' website.[1]

[edit] Artist

The game was created by John Sebelius as a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design. Sebulius is the son of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius.[1]

[edit] Reaction

The game was almost immediately criticized for its content. The National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, a U.S. bipartisan panel aimed at curbing prison rape, condemned the game.[3] They stated, in part, ". . . the title of the game and its website’s reference to 'being cornered by the Aryans in the Shower Room' are coarse popular references to rape in prisons, making light of a serious and all-too-pervasive violent sex crime." [4] Sebelius and the game were also criticized in the media.[5]

Sebelius stated he did not condone prison rape, that the game was meant as a lighthearted spoof and for entertainment purposes only.[3] As media reports surfaced of the game, Governor Sebelius’ office stated that both parents "are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent. [1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Governor’s son creates prison-themed game", Associated Press via MSNBC.com, January 27, 2008, accessed June 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "Don’t Drop the Soap Game causes controversy", KCTV, January 30, 2008, accessed June 4, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Christopher, Hearne, Jr. "Soap game has some lather", The Kansas City Star, February 3, 2008, accessed June 4, 2008.
  4. ^ "Bipartisan Panel Condemns "Don't Drop the Soap" Board Game", (PDF), National Prison Rape Elimination Commission, January 29, 2008, accessed June 4, 2008.
  5. ^ ”The Idiot Son: A Board Game”, ‘’The Pitch’’, February 7, 2008, accessed June 4, 2008.

[edit] External links