Society & Culture
In film and television, the concept of the conjugal visit is well known, often portrayed for humorous effect. For example, Arrested Development featured a conjugal visit between George Sr. and Lucille (and Kitty) in the Season 1 episode “Visiting Ours.” Although you might be familiar with the term you may not know where the word “conjugal” comes from—and whether such visits really occur as a regular part of prison life. To clear up the first question, conjugal is actually derived from Latin (surprise, surprise). The word conjugare means to join together in marriage; that word is in turn derived from com (“together”) and jugare (“yoke”). So for all you marriage haters, here’s evidence that even in ancient times, marriage was considered akin to having a yoke placed around your neck. This definition further suggests that the modern conjugal visit is extended only to an inmate’s spouse, although in practice that varies (as discussed below). Turning to the second question, do conjugal visits really exist outside of prison films and sitcoms? The answer depends on where you live. At one extreme, conjugal visits are forbidden in the United Kingdom, although you can go to this site if you want to petition for a change. At the other end of the spectrum, Canadian inmates can participate in the Private Family Visiting (PFV) program. Qualifying inmates can have a visit of up to 72 hours once every two months in apartment-like units within the correctional facility. The facility even provides food in the “apartment” (although the inmate or his family has to pay for it). Furthermore, family visits are not limited to legal spouses; the qualifying inmate can be visited by common law partners, children, parents, and other persons “with whom, in the opinion of the institutional head, the inmate has a close familial bond, provided they are not inmates.” Meaning, no inmate-inmate action for our neighbors to the North. In the United States, conjugal visits are not allowed in the federal system. State practice varies, with most states disallowing conjugal visits. A brief Internet search reveals that only six states allow conjugal visits: California, Mississippi, Connecticut, New Mexico, New York, and Washington. Each state has its own rules as to who can visit and for how long. California, for instance, allows conjugal visits for same sex domestic partners; depending on the facility, such visits could last up to 72 hours in a small apartment (a la Canada). In comparison, Washington only allows visits by spouses whom inmates married before being convicted of the offense for which they are incarcerated. So as a takeaway, think twice before trying to hook up with an inmate. Chances are you won’t be able to get to spend “a weekend at the bone yard” (as California inmates put it) anytime soon. Of course, you can always get married to a Mississippi inmate. According to the Department of Corrections website, your conjugal visit will last one hour and include “soap, condoms, tissue, sheets, pillowcase, face towel and a bath towel.” If that doesn’t get your motor running, you’re just not human.