Reprinted from November 28, 2019
Second of three parts
Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from their children.
Jill McCorkel, professor of sociology and criminology, Villanova University in Philadelphia, submitted the following article to The Conversation.
“Visits are the exception rather than the norm in American prisons. Less than one-third of those incarcerated in state prisons will not receive a visit in any given month.
“For many imprisoned women, the number is even lower. In the years I spent researching my book on women’s prisons, I often encountered empty visiting rooms. In interviews, women complained that they rarely saw their families.
“Although prison visitation is rarely prioritized in criminal justice reform efforts, research demonstrates that it is critical for prisoners and their families.
“Visits strengthen family bonds and increase the odds that prisoners will acquire housing and employment following release, key elements for successful reentry into society. Regular visits with children boost incarcerated mothers’ self-esteem and lower their incidence of depression.
“Given these and other benefits, why do so few women prisoners receive visits?
“Mothers in prison aren’t likely to see their families this holiday season, or any other day.
“Some caregivers and incarcerated parents are reluctant to expose children to prison environments and the restrictive policies governing physical contact between parents and children. One survey of women prisoners in California discovered that 10% of mothers discouraged their children from visiting.
“But distance is the main obstacle. Women’s prisons are fewer in number and in remote areas. One study found that more than 60% of mothers are imprisoned more than 100 miles away from their children.
“When prisoners are more than 50 miles from family, visits become less frequent. When the distance exceeds 150 miles, visits, especially those involving minor children, are virtually nonexistent.
“Consider the challenges for the Alvarado family, which lives in Philadelphia.
“Judy, Bianca’s grandmother, does not drive. Although a third of the Muncy prison’s prisoners are from Philadelphia and surrounding counties, there is no public transportation from city to prison. For $35 a person round-trip, a prisoner advocacy organization offers a bus trip every other month. Unfortunately, these trips take place on Mondays, when Bianca is in school.
“Occasionally Bianca and her grandmother find a ride with a family member or friend. The prison does not offer evening or mid-week visits, which makes coordinating work and school schedules tricky. Families who want to maximize their time together must arrive at the prison by 8 a.m.. Visits end at 3:30 p.m..
“The drive, seven hours round trip from Philadelphia, is arduous. Rest stops are few. One segment features stunning mountain vistas, but no safe areas to pull off to change a diaper or feed a hungry toddler.
Continued next week