# Why don't federal prisons have conjugal visits **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735 "2013-06-23T22:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/1 "2013-06-23T22:54:42Z")
Some state prisons have conjugal visits but federal prisons don’t. That doesn’t make sense to me. Conjugal visits have been shown to keep family’s together, improve prisoner behavior, and discourage homosexuality. Most other countries (which have a lower crime and recidivism rate) have conjugal visits. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/2 "2013-06-23T23:17:01Z")
Before we answer, can you provide cited for your few claims? ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/3 "2013-06-23T23:44:19Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Before we answer, can you provide cited for your few claims? It’s all on google ---
**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:** [June 24, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/4 "2013-06-24T00:18:25Z")
Matt is right that the federal prison system doesn’t allow conjugal visits. But he’s wrong in his apparent assumption that it’s routine in state prison systems. Only six states have conjugal visit programs: California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York and Washington. I’ll assume that the federal system, like most states, doesn’t see it as a necessity. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/5 "2013-06-24T00:23:17Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > It’s all on google That’s the sort of answer I see on the tinfoil forums. Could you provide search terms maybe? Recommend a site with relevant content? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/6 "2013-06-24T00:32:25Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > discourage homosexuality And this is desirable why? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/7 "2013-06-24T00:40:08Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And this is desirable why? :dubious: I imagine a lot of prison homosexual sex is not fully consensual. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/8 "2013-06-24T01:06:22Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And this is desirable why? :dubious: It also leads to a lot more general drama and things for inmates to fight about. I don’t think homosexuality itself is the issue, as much as sexual relations between prisoners. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/9 "2013-06-24T02:26:16Z")
This thread prompted me to look, and I’m surprised to learn that conjugal visits do exist in Thailand, although at only two prisons. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/10 "2013-06-24T02:29:17Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > I imagine a lot of prison homosexual sex is not fully consensual. Well, then he should have said that. I also doubt that prison rape would end if we allowed conjugal visits. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/11 "2013-06-24T02:37:17Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > It’s all on google You’re new here so some may allow that comment to stand, just this one time. Because the onus is on you when you make a claim. If you tell people here “It’s all on google,” your credibility rating takes a considerable hit. Of course, you may not care. Just be prepared when you find your threads die on the vine because it’s up to you to initially water and fertilize them. We won’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/12 "2013-06-24T02:37:45Z")
LMWTFY: [Conjugal visit - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjugal_visit#United_States) ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/13 "2013-06-24T02:53:05Z")
Conjugal visits seem like a horrible idea… Wouldn’t they lead to more babies being born to essentially single-mom households? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/14 "2013-06-24T03:27:57Z")
> [@Waxwinged](#): > > Conjugal visits seem like a horrible idea.. Wouldn’t they lead to more babies being born to essentially single-mom households? I’d be more concerned about female inmates getting pregnant. THAT would create quite a problem, to put it mildly. Basically, you’re in prison as a punishment. Not to BE punished further, but you’re still there to serve a penalty, and as such, you lose some of your rights. I would think that conjugal visits would be one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/15 "2013-06-24T03:36:18Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > It’s all on google Can you show us what you found? And what makes your sources reliable? ---
**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:** [June 24, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/16 "2013-06-24T04:55:56Z")
There’s an unspoken code in prison. A prisoner is supposed to stand up for himself against things other prisoners might do to him even if he has no personal problem with what was done. For example, you don’t let other prisoners take anything that belongs to you - even if it’s something trivial. We give out toothpaste for free. But if somebody took your tube of toothpaste, you’d be expected to fight the guy that took it. If you just shrugged it off and went and got another tube from the guard, you’d lose status and would mark yourself as a target. One of the unspoken rules is that you’re allowed to avoid fights without a loss of honor is you have an upcoming conjugal visit. Everyone understands how important a conjugal visit is and how nobody will risk losing one over a disciplinary problem. So if somebody does something to you that would normally require a fight, you’re allowed to say you have a trailer visit next weekend and people will let it slide. But it’s only a postponement. After your visit, you’re expected to go back and punch the guy who wronged you. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/17 "2013-06-24T11:49:32Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Basically, you’re in prison as a punishment. Not to BE punished further, but you’re still there to serve a penalty, and as such, you lose some of your rights. I would think that conjugal visits would be one of them. That seems satisfying theoretically, but there are a few complications. Conjugal visits provide a place to direct some energy, and can relieve the tension that builds up in institution and lead to fewer fights and other undesirable outcomes. Furthermore, having some level of privileges is essential to keeping order in an institution, as it provides incentives to behave. People act out when they feel they have nothing left to lose. Things like conjugal visits give them incentives to keep in line on a daily basis, leading to a safer environment for both prisoners and prison workers. Finally, most people don’t stay in prison forever, and when they get out it’s often their family who is going to help them transition back to civilian life. A prisoner who leaves with no ties to the community is going to be more likely to re-offend than someone who is returning to family life. Maintaining those bonds with the outside is essential to actually cutting crime. ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/18 "2013-06-24T11:51:15Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Can you show us what you found? And what makes your sources reliable? This is a good start [Fcnetwork - Putar, Menang, Ulangi: Dimana Setiap Spin Mengantarkan pada Keajaiban!](http://www.fcnetwork.org/reading/conjugal.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/19 "2013-06-24T12:30:49Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But he’s wrong in his apparent assumption that it’s routine in state prison systems. Only six states have conjugal visit programs: California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York and Washington. I’ll assume that the federal system, like most states, doesn’t see it as a necessity. (Hijack: Sounds like a side effect of the [SoCalization trope](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SoCalization) - TV/films make something sound common in the US because it’s done in California/New York where most studios/writers are located, and they write what they know.) I’ll add that I assume conjugal visits just compound the security issues involved, plus there may be the possibility of coercion to consider. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2013, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735/20 "2013-06-24T12:38:57Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > Conjugal visits have been shown to discourage homosexuality. Conjugal visits may prevent some prison rape but I don’t see how they would discourage homosexuality whatsoever. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-federal-prisons-have-conjugal-visits/661735.md?page=2)