Private Prison Punishment

Discouraging family visits

Aunty Jean

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Photo by billow926 on Unsplash

My husband’s brother is incarcerated in a private prison. This article is not about guilt or innocence, but rather about cruelty in the name of profit.

Visitation days are determined by prison blocks. My husband can visit his brother at 5:45 pm on Mondays. He has to arrive at the prison no later than 4:45pm. There is paperwork to fill out on every visit, then sitting in a waiting room for an hour.

Leaving personal belongings in one’s car is discouraged. Although the parking lot is enclosed, the prison makes it clear that property stolen from one’s vehicle is not their problem. So, they have lockers for phones, wallets, jackets, and all the other stuff that is not allowed in. It’s 50 cents to open a locker to put your stuff in; then, once it is closed, it’s another 50 cents to open it to get your stuff out when you leave. The key stays in the lock. How secure is that?

And then there is the dress code. This is from the prison’s website:

No clothing revealing the midriff, breast, genital, and/or buttock area. This includes but is not limited to: low cut crew neck garments, crop top garments, tank top garments, halter garments, tube top garments, off the shoulder garments, sleeveless garments, wrap around shirts, wrap around bottoms/dresses, muscle shirts, V-neck t-shirts, button down shirts, bathing suit garments, extremely distressed bottoms, breakaway bottoms, etc.
No transparent or visibly sheer clothing. This includes but is not limited to: Mesh Clothing, Net Clothing, Chiffon Clothing, Basic T-Shirts exposing under garments, etc.
No clothing designed to be worn tightly. This includes but is not limited to: Spandex/Stirrup clothing, Leotards, Bodysuits, Athletic/Yoga Pants, Body Con Style Dresses (Mid or Maxi Dresses included), Fitted Sweatpants, Jeggings/Leggings, Dancewear, Biker Shorts etc.No shorts, skirts or dresses shorter than 3" above the knees. No slits on the front, back, or side of the garment that go 3" above the end of the garment.No clothing with zippers that go the full length of the garment
No clothing that is similar to that issued to a detainee or uniformed staff members;
No jewelry (except (1) wedding band, small stud style earrings, basic wrist watches, religious medallion, derma piercings, or medical alert…

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Aunty Jean

Constantly curious, dog-loving, anti-racism, politically progressive, book-loving, vegan lady. I want to keep learning every day, exploring other points of view