>the other inmates will likely shank him when they find out what he's in for.
Can conform. DOC staffer here. Even criminals know that you don't hurt children. Those who do, sexually, or otherwise tend to not do well at all in the system. Even the guards will take just a little bit longer to stop an altercation involving one of these sickos. Generally it will be stopped, since the owners make lots of money daily on each inmate, so it is in their interest to keep them alive.