# Prison Question: Do They Try To Put Relatives In The Same Facility? (Don't Need Answer Fast) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 11, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325 "2017-11-11T14:32:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/1 "2017-11-11T14:32:05Z")
Assume that a father and son from the same jurisdiction both commit similar crimes (not necessarily together), both of which will land you in the same type of prison (minimum, maximum, whatever). Will the BoP try to put them in the same facility? Assume they both _want_ to be in the same facility. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/2 "2017-11-11T15:35:25Z")
They don’t go out of their way to put relatives together but it happens. There’s no rule prohibiting it (at least not in New York). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/3 "2017-11-11T16:35:20Z")
I saw a documentary some years back about a father and son both convicted of child sexual abuse of some kind, both claimed innocence. They were put in the same facility, but separated, and weren’t supposed to be in contact, but the guards would let them stand near opposites sides of a fence to talk to each other outdoors. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/4 "2017-11-11T18:11:51Z")
I’ve dealt with some uncle-nephew, father-son, and brother combinations in the same prison at the same time. The administration position is either “we don’t care if they happen to end up in the same place, it’s not a security risk” or “we’ll keep them from being at the same facility at the same time due to security concerns”. The latter happens when it’s felt one person coerced the other into committing crimes, or other abuse/manipulation issues are involved in the relationship. I don’t believe they would ever decide to go out of their way to put family together. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/5 "2017-11-11T19:37:43Z")
In the case of the UK, it depends. They would need to be rated at the same level of security requirement - so if you had a fine defaulter who was rated for Category D, and a violent armed robber rated as Category A, B, or C then they would have no chance. Other security considerations would be the likelihoods that they would work together as a team that presented risks of violence or security then that would not be allowed. If they were on similar security levels, and perhaps even co-accused then there is a realistic prospect, and they can make out an application to be located in the same prison. There is also the chance that they can apply for an inter-prison visit. This can be something of a pain to organise, but the main justification could be that there is a possible benefit to retaining family contacts - it would be closely scrutinised. If they are both non-violent offenders then the chances improve, but if they are in for mid to high level drug dealing, probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/6 "2017-11-12T09:41:51Z")
Alcatraz did. And they were told to keep them apart then let them cell next to each other. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/7 "2017-11-12T15:09:04Z")
That raises an interesting issue. What happens when they are released on probation? Is the felon can’t associate with felon rule enforced for family’s? Would they insist that a father and son remain apart? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/8 "2017-11-12T15:13:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is the felon can’t mix with felon rule enforced for family’s? For family’s what? 😛 Exceptions to that rule are made for families or friends or employers, on a case by case basis. Just as they are made for prison workers who have a family member or friend who ends up under the supervision of the Dept. of Corrections. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/9 "2017-11-12T15:16:21Z")
I hadn’t considered prison staff. Hi brother! Would be a bit awkward if he is an inmate. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/10 "2017-11-12T15:25:45Z")
Google found this answer. Several attorneys responded. I quoted the best answer. Qadgop correctly pointed out exceptions can be made under the right circumstances. [https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-person-on-felony-probation-and-a-convicted--fe-2138341.html](https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-person-on-felony-probation-and-a-convicted--fe-2138341.html) > [@](#): > > Ask the PO politely if s/he as a problem with the living arrangements. Give full and complete disclosure (and do it pleasantly… I suggest that a healthy combination of: calm demeanor + humbleness + politeness and - attitude [probably] = no objection) and abide by whatever the PO says (no matter how much you may disagree). > > If “permission” is declined by the PO then, whatever you do do, please do not argue with the PO (never, ever argue with the PO) and instead, take it straight to the Judge. If it’s lawful (which it should be) then the Judge will issue an Order and the PO will abide by the Order. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/11 "2017-11-12T17:54:57Z")
merely an anecdote, but my ex-sister-in-law related to us that there were “whole families” of two, and in one case three generations from the same family in the same facility when she was a prison guard. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/12 "2017-11-12T18:48:14Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > merely an anecdote, but my ex-sister-in-law related to us that there were “whole families” of two, and in one case three generations from the same family in the same facility when she was a prison guard. Can I use that on my next Hallmark card? The family that preys together stays together. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/13 "2017-11-12T19:35:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The family that preys together stays together. > > 😉 Or the family that has alcohol or addiction issues often gets sent to prison rather than getting the medical help they need. Stick that in your Hallmark card. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/14 "2017-11-12T20:27:42Z")
I guess you’re having a bad day. That was the most innocuous joke imaginable. A harmless play-on-words with the proper emoticon. . ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/15 "2017-11-13T04:15:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I guess you’re having a bad day. > > That was the most innocuous joke imaginable. A harmless play-on-words with the proper emoticon. > > . Afraid I’m with Q on this one, Ace. And I’m very glad he got there before me. Patterns of abuse, addiction, and just plain bad socialization are allowed to run rampant in our society. The reason European countries have so much less crime per capita is that in those countries these problems are addressed, rather than merely punished. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-question-do-they-try-to-put-relatives-in-the-same-facility-dont-need-answer-fast/801325/16 "2017-11-13T17:28:19Z")
I would not go that far, reality is that our support services in the UK have taken a nosedive, all due to the need to ensure our banks do not go under - the result is a public spending austerity cut. You will not be surprised to learn that our crime rates are rising. We had planned to demolish a number of prisons with poor facilities so they could be replaced with new builds, well that has been delayed - some of the rebuilds will go ahead because they were already too far committed, but a number of them have been postponed. All because our prison population is rising beyond expectations. Except that if you cut the numbers of police, if you cut the numbers working in prisons and if you cut education provision, drugs support, mental health provision etc then you can expect recidivism to increase - sometimes ‘efficiency savings’ are the most expensive forms of expenditure you can make. Looks like we are well on the way to the American model