Discussion Paper: Current Views of Inmate Visiting

• NCJ Number: 116838
• Author(s): L A Bennett
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the First National Conference on Families and Corrections, April 25, 1988 in Sacramento, California

Annotation

This monograph reviews current literature and reports the results of a national survey measuring attitudes on the value of family and conjugal visits with inmates.

Abstract

The literature review indicated that those prisoners who had regular visits from their families made better post-prison adjustments and were more successful in their parole experiences than were those who did not have visitors. 895 institutions in 50 States, 4 U.S. territories, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the District of Columbia responded to the survey. The survey responses also indicated that most correctional institutions place a high value on family visits. Private family visits, or conjugal visits, occurred in 18 jurisdictions, although few jurisdictions expressed interest in creating new programs for private family visits. Many prisons are overcrowded and do not have much space to allocate for prison visits. The study concludes that while those jurisdictions permitting private or conjugal visits feel the positive value of such visits outweigh problems and inconveniences, few new jurisdictions will undertake similar programs in the future. 20 references.