Conjugal Visitation - A Good Thing or Not?

First point: I think people should stop refering to them as conjugal visits. It's NOT all about sex.

[B]Do you believe that having conjugal visits in prison that it would further help to build strong relationship with society? Why?[/B]
I believe Family visits help maintain strong relationships, particularly between parents and children.

[B]Do you believe that only married couples should have conjugal visits? Why?[/B]
I think a proven commitment over a number of years should be more important than whether a couple are married, but it is the language that most DoCs speak. I think Family visits should be an earned privilege, and not the right of every inmate who walks through the gates.

[B]Do you have a pp in a state with conjugal visitation and do you utilize that type of visitation? And if yes, how did that visitation work out?[/B]
Why would you want to sleep with your penpal? Surely if it has got that far, they have long ceased to be a penpal and are now your significant other?

[B]Would you be interested in working to bring conjugal visitation into the prisons in your state?[/B]
By my state, I guess you mean the state where my husband is incarcerated. I would be interested in seeing extended family visits introduced, and for them to be allocated not just to so-called "non-violent" inmates or those who are within 2 years of release, but to any who have a sustained period of good behaviour. In fact, it would be preferable to offer them to inmates with life sentences or with at least 5-10 years left to serve, with a minimum qualifying period of 5 years down for example.

i think they a good thing and i'd want then if i coud.

those types of visits can be key in keeping a relationship strong and it is a shame that such few states allow family visits. They are great for many reasons. Besides keeping people together, it can perhaps can be an incentive for a inmate to stay out of trouble. The family dynamic should still be encouraged, even behind prison walls. I think those family/conjugal visits give them a bit of hope for the future, even for the LWP inmates.

Before i answer your questions, i must admit to having a vested interest in these visits as if all else fails i will be participating in them within a few years after the mandatory waiting period.

I have talked at length with others who have had them and who are having them now. Besides all the stats and research done on the positive influence keeping families together has on a prisoner, they also help with the modification of their behavior inside which cannot be disputed ,(incentive for behavior). It has been proven if you have stable family support inside that is likely to follow outside the gates, allowing reintergration with society less stressful for both parties. Children can continue building strong bonds with their parents while incarcerated, and partners can also continue to strengthen their relationship, but that is not to say it holds all together. I have known some people to walk away even after years of family visits. It is a very indepth issue deserving of more than just a few words as i am sure you can appreciate.

What i know personally, is some guys risk all and get visits taken away for a dirt UA, while others will risk nothing and have them on a regular basis. I have met with kids that have come from these visits, some as old as 16, while i met a new born seeing her dad for the first time. I cannot tell you the pride that comes from these men and the encouragement to do better while inside and upon release.

I do believe married couples and immediate family only should be illegible for these visits after a mandatory waiting period, but like Sunray i think they are a privilidge and should be used as such. Why do i feel that way? It weeds those looking for a quick fix (sex) out of the equation and can be used for the purposes intended, that is to strengthen family ties and improve the behavior of prisoners....... Although this was not always the case, back in 1918 when originally introduced by James Parchman in Mississippi state pen it was for the purpose of work, sex was a reward for there productivity. :nod: ...... LOL

I think advocating for any state would be productive if changes are to be made within the system, not just the state that effects your family. I think we need to stop using borders, start seeing the next person as we do our own.

Do you believe that having conjugal visits in prison that it would further help to build strong relationship with society? Why?
[B]Most certainly. Conjugal visits strengthen the family, and an intact family is the single greatest positive facor in helping an ex-inmate to re-integrate into society.[/B]
Do you believe that only married couples should have conjugal visits? Why?
[B]Yes, but I believe that the definition of marriage should be extended to include de facto couples. Maybe couples who co-habitted for two or more years before incarceration? Otherwise inmates would have opportunity to have a conjugal visit with a long-time friend or penpal.[/B]
Do you have a pp in a state with conjugal visitation and do you utilize that type of visitation? And if yes, how did that visitation work out?
[B]As a gay man, this question is not directly relevant to me. In Australia, conjugal visits (and weekend furloughs) are at the behest of each individual prison Governor (Warden). [/B]
Would you be interested in working to bring conjugal visitation into the prisons in your state?
[B]I do work for this cause, in a quiet way, mostly through my Church. (All the mainline Churches in Australia are in favour.)[/B]
New question: Are you in favour of the privilege of conjugal visits being extended to same-sex couples?
[B]Yes, especially when there are children involved.[/B]

[QUOTE=Silas Sydenham;1047019][/B]
New question: Are you in favour of the privilege of conjugal visits being extended to same-sex couples?
[B]Yes, especially when there are children involved.[/B][/QUOTE]

I like Canada's ability within the prison system to have equal rights across the board regardless of gender, allowing same sex couples to marry and have congugal visits, although not if both are incarcerated.

Interesting read for those wanting to be kept up to date......

"Visitation and other rights are vastly different for gay and lesbian prisoners unless the progress in broader society in this regard is brought to bear upon the prison system".

https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/displayArticle.aspx?articleid=20578&Asp…

I like Canada's ability within the prison system to have equal rights across the board regardless of gender, allowing same sex couples to marry and have congugal visits, although not if both are incarcerated.

Although I am personally opposed to gay marriage, I think that this is one of the strongest arguments in favour.
The only viable alternative would be to work out a way to invalidate all civil marriages, and re-validate them as civil unions. If this could be done, it would be messy and painful.

Although I am personally opposed to gay marriage, I think that this is one of the strongest arguments in favour.
The only viable alternative would be to work out a way to invalidate all civil marriages, and re-validate them as civil unions. If this could be done, it would be messy and painful.

We will agree to disagree on this one, i think all unions regardless of gender should have equal rights and civil unions do not give full protection nor benefits of marriage from all i understand. Civil unions in the states is based on the state itself, so what one state will recognise another will not, but marriage is recognised throughout and in the states is protected by federal rights and responsibilities.

Do you believe that having conjugal visits in prison that it would further help to build strong relationship with society? Why?
[I] I think they would, yes. Keeping inmates in touch with their family will allow them to be part of the family unit, which is essentially a part of the wider society[/I]
Do you believe that only married couples should have conjugal visits? Why?
[I]Yes, only married inmates should have conjugal visits, and if the inmate married post incarceration, the visits should be allowed only after five or more years [/I]

Do you have a pp in a state with conjugal visitation and do you utilize that type of visitation? And if yes, how did that visitation work out?
[I] My pp is in an archaic state, so no he doesn't have this visit available to him. Even if he did, I don't think I would be visiting the trailer lol [/I]

Would you be interested in working to bring conjugal visitation into the prisons in your state?
[I] I don't live in the US, and shoot me down in flames, but I think I would rather work on problems closer to home for the time being.[/I]

Do you believe that having conjugal visits in prison that it would further help to build strong relationship with society? Why?
[I] I think they would, yes. Keeping inmates in touch with their family will allow them to be part of the family unit, which is essentially a part of the wider society[/I]
Do you believe that only married couples should have conjugal visits? Why?
[I]Yes, only married inmates should have conjugal visits, and if the inmate married post incarceration, the visits should be allowed only after five or more years [/I]

Do you have a pp in a state with conjugal visitation and do you utilize that type of visitation? And if yes, how did that visitation work out?
[I] My pp is in an archaic state, so no he doesn't have this visit available to him. Even if he did, I don't think I would be visiting the trailer lol [/I]

Would you be interested in working to bring conjugal visitation into the prisons in your state?
[I] I don't live in the US, and shoot me down in flames, but I think I would rather work on problems closer to home for the time being.[/I]

I agree with you on the influence this type of visit can have on an inmates behavior in prison. Plus I believe, like you, that have visitation like this for married couples can keep the bonds tight. We often forget that loved ones suffer when their loved one is in prison. It is like they are doing time at the same time.

And you are right, they should be a privilege, not a right. Having it set up as a priviledge would foster a desire on the inmates part to stay in line as most would not want to lose contact with loved ones. Some of course would still act out of the norm, but that is the case in everything in life, some just don't get it.

In terms of waiting period, I believe that a married couple (prior to incarceration) should be eligible from the start; maybe after a sixty-day waiting period from the start of incarceration. Those that marry while in prison, should have a waiting period of let's say a year to insure somewhat that some prisoners would not abuse the priviledge.

Bottom line, if we call ourselves a caring society we should seek to keep the marriages and loves of those in prison burning bright. It will only benefit society.

I think its a great thing, if nothing else one more reason for inmates to behave and have something to look forward to.

I also think its a wonderful thing when all persons are viewed equally under the law, I just wish society would hurry and catch up.