Conjugal visits

Question 1

What type of theory informs this policy?

Answer 1

Individualistic theories

Question 2

What specific policy informs this theory and why?

Answer 2

Bandura’s social learning theory because crime is learnt

Question 3

What does this policy do?

Answer 3

Allows prisoners private extended time with visitors

Question 4

Where has this policy been used?

Answer 4

Florida

Question 5

How does this policy work?

Answer 5

A prisoner will see a fellow inmate being rewarded with a conjugal visit when they have desirable behaviour and so are encouraged to imitate

Question 6

What does this policy prevent?

Answer 6

Undesirable behaviour such as starting fights

Question 7

What are the strengths of this policy?

Answer 7

It preserves family bonds so the prisoner is likely to return to a stable home ( won’t re-offend).
D’alessio et al found prisons with conjugal visits reported less rape.

Question 8

What are the weaknesses of this policy?

Answer 8

Some believe prisoners should be punished and not rewarded (sexual gratification isn’t a human right).
There’s no room in the UK to do this ( prisons are over-populated so need space for prisoners).