CONJUGAL VISITATION (FROM CORRECTIONS - PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS, 1975 BY DAVID M PETERSEN AND CHARLES W THOMAS - SEE NCJ-15322)

• NCJ Number: 34989
• Author(s): C B HOPPER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Prentice Hall
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES AND DISCUSSES THE CONJUGAL VISITATION POLICIES AT THE MISSISSIPPI STATE PENITENTIARY.

Abstract

THE PRISON'S LIBERAL GENERAL VISITATION PROGRAM, IN WHICH SELECTED PRISONERS MAY MAKE HOME VISITS, IS DESCRIBED. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONJUGAL VISITATION PRACTICES IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN UNPLANNED AND UNOFFICIAL. FACILITIES FOR SUCH VISITS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED BY THE INMATES. THE FIRST OFFICIALLY APPROVED FACILITIES ARE THOSE IN THE FIRST OFFENDERS CAMP, CONSTRUCTED IN 1963. CAMP SERGEANTS, THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WITH THE CLOSEST CONTACT WITH INMATES, INDICATED THAT CONJUGAL VISITS HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THOSE INMATES WHO RECEIVE THEM. ALTHOUGH THESE PRIVILEGES ARE RESTRICTED TO HUSBAND-WIFE RELATIONSHIPS, A SURVEY INDICATED LITTLE RESENTMENT AMONG SINGLE INMATES. THE SMALL, SEMI-ISOLATED CAMP STRUCTURE OF THE PRISON IS SAID TO BE FAVORABLE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH POLICIES, SINCE THEY CAN BE INITIATED UNOFFICIALLY.