MDOC postpones visitation change
The Mississippi Department of Corrections has decided to postpone enforcement of a new policy that would limit inmates' visitation to only immediate family.
That came as good news to relatives, friends and fiancés of those inmates.
Cindy Kelly, who has been visiting a friend behind bars eight years, wasn’t surprised by the reversal.
“Whoever thought up that policy change didn't give it much thought, in my opinion,” she said Tuesday. “Something that drastic is going to get a quick and very strong reaction from loved ones of inmates as well as organizations like the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center.”
On Thursday, corrections officials announced the change, which would have limited offenders to visitations by 10 members of their immediate family, was prompted by “security violations.”
Kelly said if the problem that corrections officials are concerned about is contraband, they should look more closely at those in charge.
“Sure, some contraband comes in through visitation but putting the focus on that is ignoring the much larger problem — staff bringing in contraband,” she said.
The visitation change was ordered in an Aug. 31 memo obtained by The Clarion-Ledger, saying only "immediate family" can visit an inmate, including a "spouse, children, stepchildren raised prior to age 12, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, grandchildren or documented surrogate parents. This excludes ALL pastors, friends, girlfriends, fiancés, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, in-laws and anyone else who is not listed above.”
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The new policy prompted questions from both pastors and the ACLU.
"We have been contacted by family members who would be impacted, we have reviewed the policy, and we have serious concerns regarding its legality," said Paloma Wu, legal director for the ACLU of Mississippi.
When the policy change was announced, Kelly emailed Corrections Commissioner Marshall Fisher, telling him that family "is not always defined by blood relations. For many inmates, visits with friends, clergy, former coworkers or neighbors are just as important as visits with blood-related family because many of those relationships are as important as family. Some inmates, especially those who have been locked up for a long time, have lost their immediate family members and it is only non-blood-related family who are able and willing to visit. My dear friend, who has been in MDOC custody for 18 years, no longer has his parents.
"Now this policy says I am no longer eligible to visit him. My friend has an exemplary disciplinary record. He's been 'A' custody for years. Our visits are a large part of what keeps him positive and looking forward to life after his release. Our visits are a big part of his hope that he can build a new life after his release."
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Contact Jerry Mitchell at jmitchell@gannett.com or 601-961-7064. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Contact Sarah Fowler at sfowler@gannett.com or 601-961-7303. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.