In recent years, studies have shown the importance of prison visitation in helping incarcerated individuals avoid criminal activity after their release from prison. Most recently, in late 2011, the Minnesota Department of Corrections published a study specifically detailing how these visits affect recidivism rates.

1. September 2012 Correctional Forum
Correctional Forum
September 2012
A Publication of the Pennsylvania Prison Society
Promoting a humane, just and constructive correctional system and a rational approach to criminal justice since 1787
More Visits for Prisoners Lead to Lower Justice Reinvestment
Recidivism Rates Initiative to
Prison Society’s Official Visitors Unique in the United States
Decrease Prison
Population
by Mindy Bogue
SB 100 Becomes Act 122 of 2012
In recent years, studies have shown prisoners’ concerns and questions,
the importance of prison visitation in and lending an ear to prisoners who by Mindy Bogue
helping incarcerated individuals avoid just need someone to listen. They also
criminal activity after their release are liaisons between prisoners and the In January
from prison. Most recently, in late administration, and keep the Prison 2012, Gover-
2011, the Minnesota Department of Society apprised of general prison nor Corbett
Corrections published a study specifi- conditions and any issues that should launched
cally detailing how these visits affect be addressed with the Department of the Justice
recidivism rates. Corrections. Reinvest-
The Effects of Prison Visitation on Of- Corrections allocations are breaking ment Initiative. The
fender Recidivism examines the effects budgets. goal is to use proven
of prison visitation on recidivism methods to decrease
Since 1992, the average increase in
among 16,420 offenders released from the number of
Pennsylvania’s corrections spending
Minnesota prisons between 2003 and people incarcerated
has been $81 million. This year there
2007. The study found that visitation in Pennsylvania and
was no increase, but the budget is still
significantly decreased the risk of reduce recidivism. Half of the neces-
$1.87 billion; seven cents of every tax
recidivism. While sary legislation to make this happen
dollar is used to
this study was was passed in June. Formerly known
fund prisons and
based in Minnesota, as SB 100, Act 122 reorganizes sections
corrections. Ap-
and follows similar of the criminal justice system to save
proximately 44
studies in Florida hundreds of millions of dollars. While
percent of former
and Canada, much this is a huge step forward in how
offenders are re-
can be applied to Pennsylvania’s government handles
incarcerated within
visitation in Penn- criminal justice issues, there is concern
three years, causing
sylvania’s prisons. that the companion bill (presumably
crowded conditions
HB 135) reinvesting the saved money
This report is and, some believe,
is still in House Appropriations. Many
tangible data prov- the need for more
organizations also disapprove of the
ing what the found- prisons.
deletion of pre-release, a program that
ers of the Penn- John Hargreaves (r), Director of
Volunteer Services, with Official Successfully rewards the best-behaved and least
sylvania Prison
Visitors James Cavenaugh and Dr. reintegrating for- dangerous prisoners.
Society understood Irene Baird.
mer offenders is
225 years ago: that Senator Stewart Greenleaf, who
Photo from the Prison Society. crucial to reducing
visiting prisoners sponsored the bill, says, “Our past cor-
recidivism, thereby
helps them stay in touch with the rections policies, based on increasing-
lowering state spending on corrections.
world outside the walls, making it ly harsh and punitive measures have
The money saved may be used to rein-
less difficult for them to reintegrate created a deadly cycle of incarceration
vest in reentry programs that work.
into society after their release. that drains government resources
This is where visitation comes in. and dissolves the social and economic
Since 1787, Official Visitors of the
Research shows the importance of so- well-being of entire communities. We
Prison Society have been monitor-
cial support in helping former offend-
ing prison conditions, responding to
See Visitors on page 5 See Reinvestment on page 4
www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPrisonSociety • www.prisonsociety.org 1

2. September 2012 Correctional Forum
Visitors, continued from page 1
ers not commit crimes. In fact, the more visits prisoners receive during
Recommendations for
their final year of incarceration, the less likely they are to recidivate. Friendlier Visiting
If visitation is so important, why is it so difficult?
In 1973, the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Making visitation policies more “visitor
Standards and Goals recommended that prisons develop policies friendly” is a low-cost way to deliver major
more conducive to visitation. Studies show that private family visits benefits. The increased cost for staffing would
were associated with an even larger reduction in recidivism than be offset by stronger ties of inmates to their
regular visits, yet private visits are hard to come by. communities and a consequent reduction
Families and friends still experience problems when attempting in reincarceration, which means lower costs
to visit incarcerated loved ones. For example, while the majority overall. Policy makers should also consider
of Pennsylvania’s prisoners are from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, allocating greater resources to increase com-
many of these men and women are housed in institutions through- munity visitation for inmates with little or no
out the state, mostly in rural areas. Those who are of low income, do social support.
not drive, are elderly, or have disabilities find it very difficult to visit Some proposals for improving visitation in
these prisons. Pennsylvania institutions could include:
The findings in the Minnesota report suggest that prison visitation • Placing inmates in facilities as close to
can significantly improve the transition from prison to the communi- their home communities as possible
ty. A prisoner’s risk of recidivism tends to decrease as his/her social
support increases. While much of the research involved family and • Encouraging community service agencies
friends, the risk of recidivism was also reduced by visits from clergy, to visit prisoners
mentors, and other community members. • Decreasing bureaucratic barriers to
What’s different about Pennsylvania? visitation
Pennsylvania’s rules for visitation are, like those of other states, • Increasing the cultural sensitivity of staff
not simple. However, visitation in Pennsylvania has some positive members
aspects that other states do not have. • Ensuring clean, comfortable, and hospi-
Unlike many states, all of Pennsylvania’s state corrections institu- table visitation rooms
tions have weekend hours in addition to some visiting times during
the week. Pennsylvania’s largest state prison, SCI Graterford, has
additional visiting hours in the evening, Thursday through Sunday.
Pennsylvania is the only state that, through act of legislature, allows Official Visitors from the Prison Society to check in
on prisoners without having to be on a prisoner’s approved visitors list. An Official Visitor may go to a prison and spend
the day talking to as many prisoners as he/she
likes. This is particularly important for pris-
It’s the humanity that volunteers bring in that’s terribly oners who have no family or friends visiting
important. We’re their window to the outside. them. The Minnesota study shows that, while
visits from family members are the best for
—Joan Porter, Official Visitor reducing recidivism, visits from community
members also help keep former offenders from
committing future crimes. Official Visitors may visit during regular visiting hours, but also at off-hours with permission
from the corrections officer in charge of the institution. They are also allowed into prison cells for private conversations
with incarcerated individuals.
The Prison Society often receives letters from prisoners, thanking them for sending someone to visit them. One prisoner
writes, “I want to thank you for showing great concerns about my problems. I am having a hard time and someone did
come to see me and talked to me. I never felt so good in my life.”
Pennsylvania legislators are looking for ways to keep communities safe while decreasing the amount of money spent
on corrections. (See recommendations at top of page.) Encouraging prison visitation from family, friends, and community
members is one cost-effective way to reduce recidivism and the need for more and more prison beds. It is also imperative
that these positive prison visitation measures carry through to community corrections facilities so that those on parole or
probation continue to receive the support necessary to successfully reintegrate into society — particularly for those with
little family support.
To read the full report: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publications/documents/11-11PrisonVisitationResearchinBrief_Final.pdf
To become a visitor: contact John Hargreaves, Director of Volunteer Services, johnhpps@comcast.net.
www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPrisonSociety • www.prisonsociety.org 5