Reprinted from November 28, 2019
Second of four parts
Jill McCorkel, professor of sociology and criminology, Villanova University in Philadelphia, submitted the following article to The Conversation.
Nearly two-thirds of imprisoned mothers have never received a visit from their children.
“Prison visitation policies vary by jurisdiction. Prisoners do not have a federal constitutional right to visitation and officials can deny a visit for any reason.
“In Pennsylvania, visitors must be approved in advance and minor children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Prisoners who have lost custody of their children or committed an offense against a minor are typically not allowed visits with children.
“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.
Continued next week