NCJ Number
56280
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WHEREBY AN INMATE MAY BE MARRIED WHILE SERVING SENTENCE IN A NEW JERSEY STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ARE SET FORTH.
Abstract
AN ADULT INMATE OF A STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST TO MARRY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE INSTITUTION AT LEAST 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE PLANNED DATE OF THE WEDDING. THE REQUEST MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INMATE'S PRESENT MARITAL STATUS, DESIRED SITE FOR THE CERMONY IF OUTSIDE THE INSTITUTION, REQUEST FOR FURLOUGH IF THE INMATE IS ELIGIBLE, AND A STATEMENT INDICATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MARRIAGE. THE REQUEST TO MARRY IS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT TO HIS DESIGNATED COMMITTEE WHICH WILL REVIEW THE INMATE'S REQUEST, AND APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE THE REQUEST. A STAFF MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONFER WITH THE INMATE AND INTENDED SPOUSE TO PERMIT THE CLARIFICATION OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE MARRIAGE. UNUSUAL CEREMONIAL REQUESTS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR APPROPRIATENESS, AND THE NUMBER OF WITNESSES SHALL GENERALLY BE LIMITED TO SIX PERSONS. IF PERFORMED IN THE INSTITUTION, FLOWERS, MUSIC, AND PHOTOGRAPHY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED AT THE CEREMONY, NOR WILL FACILITIES BE PROVIDED FOR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MARRIAGE WITHIN THE INSTITUTION. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE MARRIAGE WILL BE ASSUMED BY THE MARRIAGE PARTNERS. THE SUPERINTENDENT IS TO MAINTAIN MONTHLY REPORTS ON INMATE MARRIAGE REQUESTS, INDICATING THE DISPOSITION OF THE REQUESTS. THE NEW JERSEY STATUTES SHALL BE USED TO RESOLVE QUESTIONS CONCERNING MARRIAGE WITHIN THE STATE. (TWK)