Should Inmates Be Allowed To Attend Spouces Funeral?

[Cidp24]

We have had a lot of misconduct and bribery in judicial circles lately in this state, dealing mainly with bribery or influence peddling. One of the offenders is Paul Minor. My question is whether he and other non-violent offenders should be allowed to visit dying immediate family members AND go to her funeral, or just one or the other.

I feel that it should be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the cost to the government, with consideration to travel distance, security, lodging, etc. In this particular case, I think he should have been allowed both. Yes, he screwed up, yes he is in prison, but this is an extraordinary circumstance, given the length of the marriage.

What is your opinion/comments? I intentionally left "Decide on a case by case basis" off the poll, vote the answer you most agree with)

Here is the story, starting with a link with info on Minor's case:

The Natchez Democrat - Gulf Coast lawyer Paul Minor gets 11 years in prison for bribing Miss. judges


Jackson, MS 04/17/09
Former attorney Paul Minor did not attend his wife's funeral
April 17, 2009 09:02 AM
April 17, 2009 09:02 AM

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - The funeral for Paul Minor's wife of 41 years was held in New Orleans Friday, but former attorney Minor was not there. He was not allowed to attend.
The Federal Bureau of prisons denied his request to go to the funeral because Minor had been allowed to briefly visit his dying wife in February. Minor's attorney, Hiram Eastland, Jr., says quote: "The Bureau of Prisons based their denial on an antiquated, Draconian, anti-family policy of forcing a prisoner to choose between being with their wife while they are dying or after they have already passed away."
A bureau of prisons spokesperson said wardens quote - "Make determinations regarding inmate trips based on established policies and procedures applicable to the entire inmate population."

[Terminator]

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - The funeral for Paul Minor's wife of 41 years was held in New Orleans Friday, but former attorney Minor was not there. He was not allowed to attend.
The Federal Bureau of prisons denied his request to go to the funeral because Minor had been allowed to briefly visit his dying wife in February. Minor's attorney, Hiram Eastland, Jr., says quote: "The Bureau of Prisons based their denial on an antiquated, Draconian, anti-family policy of forcing a prisoner to choose between being with their wife while they are dying or after they have already passed away."
A bureau of prisons spokesperson said wardens quote - "Make determinations regarding inmate trips based on established policies and procedures applicable to the entire inmate population."

I may be out of the norm here, but I find the above outrageous and unacceptable.

[MacLean]

For a non-violent prisoner, I'd have to say it seems reasonable and humane to allow visits to a dying spouse, and to send a couple of DOC officers along to escort him to the funeral.

[Five-0]

If the cost will be handled by the family or the estate I have no problem with it. It should not cost the taxpayers any additional costs. Then again it could be harder. I say this because prisoners may not be housed close to family in all cases.

[TXCharlie]

I think the only time that should be refused for a local funeral is if the spouse's immediate family simply doesn't want him there for some reason.

I also don't think the taxpayers should pay for travel or a guard. A lot of law abiding people can't afford to travel to a family member's funeral - if they can't afford it, then they simply miss the funeral.

[Buttercup]

For a non-violent prisoner, I'd have to say it seems reasonable and humane to allow visits to a dying spouse, and to send a couple of DOC officers along to escort him to the funeral.

I agree and would add only that it should be at the expense of the family.

[GASheepdog]

I believe Georgia DOC allows it for the inmate's immediate family members, depending on the inmate's status and behavior, cost, and whether security is available. One GA county (Pickens) allows it for prisoners at their jail, but requires the family to pay $20/hr. for deputies to provide security.

[copboy]

It might sound a bit out there but some Violent offenders (depending on behavior in prison etc.) should be allowed to attend a family members funeral. I would say not if they are the reason for the funeral or if the family does not want them there but in my mind they might be shit bags but they are still people and well could you imagine missing your spouse or even heaven forbid one of your child's funerals? I think it does have to be a case by case basis across the board. Guys like Manson and Domer (sp?) should not be able to, but what about the guy who is in for murder who made a mistake? What about the guy who has been in for 30 years and behaved in prison and his wife who has stuck buy him for all those years passes? There should be a way to determine if they can attend and it should apply to all prisoners...on the family dime of course.

[Jenna]

I think they should be allowed to have both visits as long as it really is a very close family member and the costs and security risks are not prohibitively high.

[mack]

I think it should be on a case by case basis and the costs incurred should be at the inmates expense. Monroe County, FL will allow furloughs on occasion, I have seen some let out on their own with the promise to return, some have returned some haven't. I have also seen some let out on furlough with deputies escorting them and they get charged $25-and up.

[Shoestring]

Non-violent on a case by case basis would be fine, have the family pay for DOC personel, and only be allowed out time to cover travel before/after and during. No going out to eat afterwards etc.

We should still be compasionate. Even though they messed up and have to sit time, their family member is going to be gone and they will never get to see them again, give them a few moments to be with the loved one and then put them back in the clink.

Violent criminals, well that is another story, little skeptical about putting them on teh street to escape,

[bayern]

Why not just give them weekend passes and get over with. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

[keith720]

Nope. They are in prison.We allow special visits from family and friends, but no one gets to go out. If someone video-tapes the service, they can bring it in and watch with the inmate. That's it.

[Shoestring]

So you tell me that (just and example) if a mother struggling to feed her baby, working a full time job and the babies daddy walked out and provides nothing, so she embezzles a like coin to take care of her child and get by, she gets say a year

Her mom is now on her death bed, you wouldnt let her out for the funeral? I dont agree with commiting a crime to get by because it is not okay, but at the same time they were doing a property crime and not putting anyone in real danger.

I think it should be case by case, good people do bad things at times.....

[keith720]

County facilities can offer furloughs. The State DOC doesn't. That's just the way it is. Inmates used to be able to go on either a death bed visit or the funeral. They had to pay for staff and transportation cost. A few years ago, the State changed the policy so now, anyone in maximum security or medium security isn't allowed to leave. Way back when, I went on a couple of funeral escorts, and they could get pretty hairy. Not only do you have all of the emotion associated with the funeral, but when you and your partner are the only white guys in a crowd of 3 or 400, it's pretty obvious who you are!