The track features an "anti-climax" coda,[2] in which memorable verses and choruses dissolve into an unrelated, quiet final section.

The video for "Prison Sex" was created with stop-motion animation techniques, and was directed by the band's guitarist Adam Jones (who had previous experience in art direction and animation, including work on the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park) and was edited by Ken Andrews.

"Prison Sex" was also nominated for 1994's MTV Music Video Awards' Best Special Effects category.

MTV stopped airing the "Prison Sex" video after a few viewings due to its symbolism depicting the sensitive subject of child abuse.

[6] Before a live performance of "Prison Sex" on November 29, 1996, in Montreal, Quebec, Keenan stated: "This song is about recognizing, identifying, the cycle of abuse within yourself.