New York's Department of Correctional Services is spiffing up for a family reunion...sorta.
The NY Post reports that since last week's legalization of gay marriage, the department is revising its rules to include conjugal visits for gay inmates just like their heterosexual counterparts get. Since former governor David Paterson already authorized the department to honor same-sex marriages performed out-of-state and civil unions back in 2008, requests for such visits aren't expected to increase that much. Only one conjugal visit request is pending at the moment "from a married lesbian inmate at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Westchester."
Conjugal visits are officially called "family reunions." Ew. But one guesses that something more fun like 'dirty weekend' or 'sex bender' might be too informal for such an institution.
And speaking of institutions, if you're not that familiar with either marriage or prison (make own joke about similarities here) it might be surprising to note another important element of having a partnership formally recognized, which is that gay inmates can now also get furloughs if a spouse or civil union partner is terminally ill. The Daily News says that conjugal visits are allowed in 20 of the 67 correctional institutions in the state.
Back to the conjugal visits: The prison supplies condoms, according to the Post, and the visits include 48 hours of privacy in a residential unit equipped with a kitchen. Guess there might be more than one way you want to get cookin.'
The NY Post reports that since last week's legalization of gay marriage, the department is revising its rules to include conjugal visits for gay inmates just like their heterosexual counterparts get. Since former governor David Paterson already authorized the department to honor same-sex marriages performed out-of-state and civil unions back in 2008, requests for such visits aren't expected to increase that much. Only one conjugal visit request is pending at the moment "from a married lesbian inmate at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Westchester."
Conjugal visits are officially called "family reunions." Ew. But one guesses that something more fun like 'dirty weekend' or 'sex bender' might be too informal for such an institution.
And speaking of institutions, if you're not that familiar with either marriage or prison (make own joke about similarities here) it might be surprising to note another important element of having a partnership formally recognized, which is that gay inmates can now also get furloughs if a spouse or civil union partner is terminally ill. The Daily News says that conjugal visits are allowed in 20 of the 67 correctional institutions in the state.
Back to the conjugal visits: The prison supplies condoms, according to the Post, and the visits include 48 hours of privacy in a residential unit equipped with a kitchen. Guess there might be more than one way you want to get cookin.'
That's great news! Conjugal visits should be accessible to all non-violent criminals as a reward for good behavior but also to help them maintain the relationship. The more people loose because of the incarceration (relationships, ability to find jobs and housing etc.) the more likely they are to feel powerless to start they life anew after getting out.
yayayy! thats fantastic news! conjugal visits should be open to all