Mississippi gets a bad reputation for so many things- obesity, heart
disease, poor education, a 20% poverty rate. But sometimes we get things
right. Did you know that the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman
was the first penal institution in the U.S. to permit conjugal visits?
It's true! They also call them "extended family visits," the "three-day
house," or -among the prisoners- simply the "tonk house." Mississippi is
one of six states that allow them, including California, Connecticut,
New Mexico, New York, and Washington. Conjugal visits are acknowledged
as a positive thing and are credited with saving marriages, keeping
families intact and reducing the rate of sexual assault, as well as
reducing the level of violence in general.
The unfortunate thing is that Commissioner Epps is doing away with this program throughout the Mississippi DOC after some legislators started complaining about the cost. Irony of ironies, no dollar amount associated with orchestrating the visits is available. So... Mr. Epps is discontinuing a positive program that has proven to reduce the incidence of sexual violence (57 per 100,000 with, compared to 226 per 100,000 without), and provides incentive for good behavior. And on what factual info is he basing his decision? None. You think he would have learned from his experience with Unit 32.
Epps states, "There are costs associated with the staff's time, having to escort inmates to and from the visitation facility, supervising personal hygiene and keeping the infrastructure of the facility... Then, even though we provide contraception, we have no idea how many women are getting pregnant only for the child to be raised by one parent."
Did you know that 43% of all families with children at all income levels in the state are not married? 80% of all poor families with children in Mississippi aren't married. Married couples with children comprise around only one-fifth of poor families in Mississippi. All MDOC prisoners who are eligible for conjugal visits are married. And if Mr. Epps didn't realize it, being a parent is more than just bringing in a paycheck.
Here's a suggestion from this lowly, uneducated prisoner: Get the facts together. THEN make a decision. Also, a fee to cover all costs of the visit can be charged to the visitor when it is scheduled. MDOC already charges a prisoner for the cost of transport when they request transfer to a particular facility. The cost for soap, condoms, tissue, sheets, pillowcase, face towel and bath towel should not be hard to cover.
Mr. Epps does not address the issue of private prisons or regional facilities that allow conjugal visits within Mississippi. Really, Mr. Epps only addresses "extended family visits" and not just regular conjugal visits. Conjugal visits only last an hour or two, and the expenses are minimal. At private prisons and regional facilities MDOC is not being charged more for these companies to house prisoners receiving conjugal visits, and these companies aren't complaining. So, what are the true reasons for discontinuing conjugal visits?
"The benefits of the programs don't outweigh the cost in the overall budget," said Epps. The general public don't realize that when a DOC staff member has sex with a prisoner, it is considered rape. What is Mr. Epps going to do when the incidence of prison rape (prisoner-on-prisoner, prisoner-on-staff, and staff-on-prisoner) increases? The cost to prosecute one rape case would cover the cost of the 155 prisoners eligible for conjugal visits to participate in the program for a full year. What about the marriages that will suffer? What about the spouses out there that will end up pregnant by another man because they have lost that bond with their incarcerated partner? What about the costs you can't tally on a budget report, Mr. Epps?
If you think conjugal visits are something that should be continued, please follow the link and sign the petition requesting that this program be reinstated.
The unfortunate thing is that Commissioner Epps is doing away with this program throughout the Mississippi DOC after some legislators started complaining about the cost. Irony of ironies, no dollar amount associated with orchestrating the visits is available. So... Mr. Epps is discontinuing a positive program that has proven to reduce the incidence of sexual violence (57 per 100,000 with, compared to 226 per 100,000 without), and provides incentive for good behavior. And on what factual info is he basing his decision? None. You think he would have learned from his experience with Unit 32.
Epps states, "There are costs associated with the staff's time, having to escort inmates to and from the visitation facility, supervising personal hygiene and keeping the infrastructure of the facility... Then, even though we provide contraception, we have no idea how many women are getting pregnant only for the child to be raised by one parent."
Did you know that 43% of all families with children at all income levels in the state are not married? 80% of all poor families with children in Mississippi aren't married. Married couples with children comprise around only one-fifth of poor families in Mississippi. All MDOC prisoners who are eligible for conjugal visits are married. And if Mr. Epps didn't realize it, being a parent is more than just bringing in a paycheck.
Here's a suggestion from this lowly, uneducated prisoner: Get the facts together. THEN make a decision. Also, a fee to cover all costs of the visit can be charged to the visitor when it is scheduled. MDOC already charges a prisoner for the cost of transport when they request transfer to a particular facility. The cost for soap, condoms, tissue, sheets, pillowcase, face towel and bath towel should not be hard to cover.
Mr. Epps does not address the issue of private prisons or regional facilities that allow conjugal visits within Mississippi. Really, Mr. Epps only addresses "extended family visits" and not just regular conjugal visits. Conjugal visits only last an hour or two, and the expenses are minimal. At private prisons and regional facilities MDOC is not being charged more for these companies to house prisoners receiving conjugal visits, and these companies aren't complaining. So, what are the true reasons for discontinuing conjugal visits?
"The benefits of the programs don't outweigh the cost in the overall budget," said Epps. The general public don't realize that when a DOC staff member has sex with a prisoner, it is considered rape. What is Mr. Epps going to do when the incidence of prison rape (prisoner-on-prisoner, prisoner-on-staff, and staff-on-prisoner) increases? The cost to prosecute one rape case would cover the cost of the 155 prisoners eligible for conjugal visits to participate in the program for a full year. What about the marriages that will suffer? What about the spouses out there that will end up pregnant by another man because they have lost that bond with their incarcerated partner? What about the costs you can't tally on a budget report, Mr. Epps?
If you think conjugal visits are something that should be continued, please follow the link and sign the petition requesting that this program be reinstated.
Prisoners and their loved ones don't have
many things they are allowed in order to maintain bonds, so please don't
allow this program to become a casualty of political kowtowing. Every
signature matters, so let your voice be heard. All of the prisoners in
MDOC thank you.
as always it's my belief that Epps talks a good game but so much is left unsaid and so much appears to be lies. WHO do i believe? the loved one inside or EPPS running his mouth time after time? NOW what do i believe? BILL 585 is now signed. what happens, who gets released? when will it start? the guys are excited and antsy. DO I get ready for a relative to come home? ITS all very unsettleing and scary these days with all the violence. HOW do i prepare? WHAT are the programs if any to help him move forward in a dangerous tempting world that is worse 8 years later? NOW MORE RIOTS at the Hinds county detention center, one dead, no news since early today. MY WORRIES do not stop. I pray and pray and pray for guidance and knowledge. THANX for your insight. HELP????????????????
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