I know what you mean BarrattM; the over the top melodrama makes for some unrealistic dialogue in part, especially in the first series. Even so, it does get far better in later series IMO. Especially once the actors have come to embody thier characters so totally; certain "over the top" traits become less noticable as aspects of the characters themselves.

Im not sure about actaul rape, but some Philly guys in the early 70's had some "Oz" style problems with some black inmates; it's the third story down on the page.
http://phillymobspot.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html