A weird thing is conjugal visit programs did not originate in some progressive ideal of reform and enlightenment. It was in fact almost the complete opposite. Conjugal visits originated in racism.
Conjugal visits started in prison systems in the old south and it was based on the belief that black men were more sexually driven than white men. The belief was that white prisoners could be denied sex and would still behave. But if you didn’t give black prisoners sex they’d be uncontrollable. So informal systems were set up so prisoners could have sex with their wives and girlfriends and be kept “docile”. (I imagine a lot of black prisoners figured “Finally, some racism that’s working in my favor.”)
No, they aren’t. Most prison sentences are at least a year. People convicted of misdemeanors and sentenced to less than a year generally do their time in a local jail. I assume jails don’t typically have conjugal visit programs.
While we’re at it maybe we should provide frozen yogurt machines, maybe if we coddle prisoners they won’t be so inclined to set fire to their mattresses.
Oh, for Pete’s sake, stop with the hijack. Sometimes, I swear, Dopers are more interested in beating others into conformity with their beliefs than discussing the topic.
The OP topic included the issue of homosexuality and conjugal visits. No hijack here.
Now, the precise question that was asked concerned the lack of conjugal visits in federal prisons. They just don’t. Perhaps the BOP thinks it would be too much logistical effort. Remember also that in many cases (most?), the federal prisoner is much much further from home.
