Conjugal Visits

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Some information as to what conjugal visits are and what countries allow/disallow them, etc: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjugal_visit

So do you think conjugal visits should be allowed?

[kayleethegray]

Yes, there's enough reason for them to be good for a prisoner, and if things motivate prisoners to follow rules, I think it's good.

[nick]

Prison is all about withdrawl of normal freedoms and privileges. I don't believe in chain gangs or anything too draconian but neither should it be like a holiday camp. I don't feel particularly supportive of the idea of conjugal visits.

I did find the detail for Saudi Arabia amusing though. One visit a month for monogamous men and two visits for bigamists.

[CharlieFinley]

Statistics have shown that systems that treat prisoners with dignity and respect, as well as apply negative reinforcement in the form of revoking privileges in response to anti-social behavior, tend to be more effective at rehabilitating criminals than needlessly draconian systems. Conjugal visits are a good thing.

[nick]

Statistics have shown that systems that treat prisoners with dignity and respect, as well as apply negative reinforcement in the form of revoking privileges in response to anti-social behavior, tend to be more effective at rehabilitating criminals than needlessly draconian systems. Conjugal visits are a good thing.
I don't strongly disagree with that, but rehabilitation is only one function of prison, there is also punishment and deterrence.

[CharlieFinley]

I don't strongly disagree with that, but rehabilitation is only one function of prison, there is also punishment and deterrence.

Deterrence by increasing the severity of the punishment doesn't work. It seems like it should, but it doesn't. What is actually necessary is increasing the enforcement, or, in other words, improving the conviction rate.

Having prisons whose purpose is to punish is petty, barbaric vengeance masquerading as justice.

[FreeFall]

I don't think they're bad, but on the other hand it's like a day of sex for couples, at least that's how wikipedia seems to have put the light on it. I'm more of the "you do something bad, you end up in time out, no fun for you" mind set when it comes to prison. Their fault or not, I won't give special treatment. If you're in jail, you're in jail. You do not get the happy freedoms and happy friends, wife included. You're on punishment.

[Iron Man]

If it keeps the prisoners sane, fuck it.. let em have it

[HowlingSnail]

I think they'd help. It means that the prisoner's aren't too cut off from the outside world, so they can return to outside life better once they're released.