Conjugal Attendations Research

The risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is significantly increased by conjugal visits. According to Christopher P. Kerbs and Melanie Simmons “the prevalence of AIDS infection is approximately five times higher in state and federal prisons that amongst the general U.S population” (2002, pg.1). That is because inmates engage in high risk activities that can lead to STD’s. Inmates are often involved in fist fights, rapes, needle use, and homosexual activities. Many of these activities can lead to the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS. David Valhov and Sarah Putnam mention that 25-40% of male inmates entering prison had a history of drug injection. Furthermore, they stated that 33% of prisoners admitted to engaging …show more content…
Like mentioned earlier conjugal visitations give inmates and their families more privacy than regular visitations. This allows inmates to abuse their spouses or children without correctional officers finding out. Since the couple is allowed to engage in sexual intercourse during the conjugal visit, there is a lack of security. Correctional officers are usually not allowed to be inside of the apartment or room while the conjugal visit is ongoing. Correctional officers are to wait outside of the apartment and can only come inside during an emergency. This gives inmates the opportunity to abuse their family. The results of Riesch Toepell’s research study reveal that women that already had abusive or violent husbands before the husband’s incarceration feared for their safety during a conjugal visit. These women also felt obligated to come visit their spouse and a majority of them had been physically and verbally abused during a conjugal visit (2001, pg.12) Many of these women do not report the abuse because they are afraid that the husband will hurt them or their children. It is also very common that women only think of abuse as physical abuse, but abuse can occur in various different ways. Abuse can occur verbally, physically, psychologically, and it can also be neglect. Although Toepell’s research reveals that women can become victims of abuse during conjugal visits, there is a lack of research on this particular topic. There does not exist many research studies that examine whether participants in conjugal visits gets abused or not. Toepell reveals that her research study was only a result of a murder that occurred in a Canadian state penitentiary during a conjugal visit. Correctional facilities should not continue to fund a policy that gives inmates the opportunity to further abuse their