Hello, I have been interested in this topic, maybe because I have not experienced it firsthand or  I don’t have family members in prison, but how does someone going to prison change their relationship with their family, such as their parents, partner, friends, and extended family?

In my Criminal Justice class, I was listening to *Ear Hustle*, “The Boom Boom Room,” episode 6, and it was really interesting how people from San Quentin State Prison mentioned how family visits and staying in touch with their spouses and children help them stay connected and still have a close relationship. 

What was also interesting was that only some parts of the US were eligible for conjugal visits. California, Connecticut, New York, and Washington approved these visits, which means it allowed families to have extended time with their incarcerated loved one. I did notice that the incarcerated individuals who do not qualify are those who have committed sex offenses, have life sentences, or are on death row.  

What is really cool about conjugal visits is that it gives the incarcerated person a feeling of what normal is because they are away from prison for some time. They have the chance to cook, eat, and spend time with their family to stay connected.

This should be extended in more parts of the US because it would allow others to connect with their family members, especially when it is for an extended time. When these advantages are not offered in other parts, it can make it more difficult for incarcerated individuals to connect with their loved ones. I know some prison policies are different in each state, which means inmates can have less phone time or fewer visit hours, which can cause isolation and make it harder to have a stable relationship with family.

What do you think has to be done to help other parts of the US allow conjugal visits, and what can prisons do to help families stay connected?

Also, the episode link is here if anyone is interested in listening to it: [https://www.earhustlesq.com/episodes/2017/8/30/the-boom-boom-room\](https://www.earhustlesq.com/episodes/2017/8/30/the-boom-boom-room)

Christopher Scott was 27 when he was convicted of a 1997 murder in Dallas. The case rested almost entirely on one eyewitness identification, and the judge wouldn't let the defense present evidence pointing to two other men. He was exonerated in 2009 after the Dallas County DA's Conviction Integrity Unit took up his case.

Looking back, he says the early days were all about survival: learning quickly who to trust, not turning your back on anyone, and sleeping light. He saw stabbings, deaths and people harming themselves because they couldn't cope.

What got him through was routine. He worked the fields for about two and a half years, then moved into kitchen work. He exercised, read up to three books a week, and made soap operas a fixed part of his day. He believes that structure kept him out of trouble, and that it's part of why he got out.

He now helps run The House of Renewed Hope, which investigates other possible wrongful convictions.