LOVE BEHIND BARS

By Emmah Kihiu

If love has the power to heal and reform why should prison walls stand in its way ? Conjugal visits are a necessity,not a privilege.They are an essential part of prison reforms , providing emotional stability and emotional well being of prisoners which existing literature often overlooks ..it is a fundamental human right for inmates and should be recognized as a constitutional right under the protection of family life.Across the word prisons are designed for punishment, correction and rehabilitation of offenders,but how far should that punishment go? One crucial aspect is often ignored ; denying inmates the right to intimacy is unfair, discriminatory and damage their dignity..

Although critics argue that the visits would turn prisons into a honeymoon suites, conjugal visits are proposed to improve inmate psychological well being, maintain family ties, support rehabilitation efforts and reduce recidivism.providing inmates with an opportunity to re connect with their partners in a humane setting reduces stress, depression and help sustain marriages by preventing emotional detachment.This would more likely promote good behavior and discipline within the prison walls , inmates would find it easier to follow rules for fear if loosing their rights to have a visit..

Without this visits inmates may resort to engage in risky sexual behavior, increasing the spread of HIV and homosexuality in prisons.. Denying prisoners a right to fulfill their biological needs means that that their rights are not fully accommodate by the government.. without proper regulations inmates human rights remain insufficiently protected.Addresing the issue through legal reforms is essential to align correctional policies with the international standard and human right principles. incarceration doesn't mean loosing the right to love and human connection..

This visits should be private and should take place in a designated room or structure designed for that purpose, supplies such as soap,bed lines , protectives such as condoms and towels should be provided. most countries do not allow this visits but countries like Brazil, Canada,France , Denmark and Australia this visits are permitted .

If we want a justice system that truly reforms individuals then we must acknowledge conjugal visits.if we claim to believe in correction and rehabilitation,why deny prisoners the connection that would make rehabilitation possible? The visits would help them restore dignity upon release. prisoners should be allowed to keep their spark alive just like everyone else has a right to love and intimacy. They are still capable of love and still deserve a chance to rebuild their lives .

If the visits would help inmates become better people and reintegrate successfully ,why wouldn't we embrace a policy that benefits everyone?