The Clampdown On Visiting Loved Ones In Prisons And Jails Isn’t Helping Anyone

By Jean Trounstine

flickr/Penn State

In-person visits are beneficial to prison safety and recidivism rates and are crucial to those behind bars.

Evie Litwok felt the necessity of visitors when she served time in the Federal Correctional Institute in Tallahassee, Florida. While she was in solitary, visits were cut down to one hour per week, and prisoners were both forbidden physical contact and shackled during visitation. When a woman housed with Litwok found that her husband was unable to afford the trip across state lines for a mere hour, she bashed her head against the cement wall until it was bloody. “Those who survived the best were women who had contact with family,” said Litwok.

Giovanni Reid, who grew up in Pennsylvania prisons, said what it meant to have visitors during his 26 years behind bars, beginning when he was 16. He said, “Visitors are absolutely necessary. They connect you to something more meaningful in your life.”

“First Day Out.” Photo courtesy of Karter Reed (center L, white T-shirt).

So, here’s the conundrum. In-person visits have a positive impact on prison safety…