NCJ Number
133518
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1991) Pages: 263-275
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A 1987 survey of 213 adult, long-term correctional facilities located in 45 States was used to assess to what extent prison officials have changed visiting policies as a result of empirical research indicating that visiting is significantly related to parole success. The survey results were compared with surveys reported in 1978 and 1954.
Abstract
The findings indicate a trend toward maximization of opportunities for prisoners to maintain family relationships. Although a precise comparison with the 1976 survey cannot be made, gross measures document this trend. There are proportionately more facilities with 40 or more visiting hours per week and more with 7-day visiting schedules. Contact visits are the norm among 95 percent of the responding institutions, and both the permitted length and frequency of visits has increased since 1976. Over 72 percent of the responding institutions have a designated staff person in charge of visiting policies. The author urges institutions to be as flexible as possible in limiting visiting policies and practices by schedule, State statute, centralized policies, personnel considerations, geography, and space. 2 tables, 1 note, and 22 references (Author abstract modified)