Significant Others Visiting Others Inmates: Sex and Relational Differences

• NCJ Number: 208307
• Journal: Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: 2004 Pages: 101-118
• Author(s): Richard Tewksbury; Matthew T. DeMichele; Seana Golder
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Drawing on data from 372 visitors to a medium-security men's prison, this study examined the characteristics and visitation experiences of 3 subgroups of visitors: male visitors, general female visitors (e.g., mothers, friends, daughters, etc.), and female visitors considered "significant others" (wife or girlfriend).

Abstract

Of the sample of 372 visitors, 27 percent were male visitors, 46 percent were female visitors, and 27 percent were significant others. The survey instrument solicited information on each visitor's demographic characteristics, individual characteristics, conditions related to the prison environment, visitation patterns, and predictors of visitation frequency. Findings show that significant others were, on average, 34 years old, 9 years younger than the subgroup of female visitors and 10 years younger than the subgroup of male visitors. The visitors' racial/ethnic profile generally reflected the racial/ethnic profile of Kentucky State inmates. The majority of visitors across subgroups reported having children; more women in general reported having children than did the male visitors. Regardless of the type of visitor, they lived an average of 80 miles from the institution, and it took approximately 88 minutes of travel time. Relatively few visitors reported staying overnight for the visit. Among the three subgroups, significant others more often reported receiving and sending mail and receiving telephone calls from inmates once or more per week. Compared to the other subgroups, significant others also more often (78 percent) reported planning on living with the inmate after his release. Across the three subgroups, a majority had similar positive views regarding the comfort of the visiting area and the reasonableness of visitation rules. Significant others reported visiting the inmate more recently than either of the other two groups of visitors. In anticipating a visit to the inmate, significant others were more excited than members of the other subgroups, and they brought children in greater numbers. Although significant others spent more per month in keeping contact with an inmate, the entire sample spent nearly $200 per month keeping contact with an inmate. 6 tables and 22 references