Hailey
When people watch shows like Prison Break or Oz, they often see conjugal visits—private meetings between inmates and their partners. These visits are shown as an emotional and intimate part of prison life.
Even sitcoms like Seinfeld joked about it. But in reality, only a few states in the United States still allow conjugal visits. Many others, including Kansas, have banned them completely.
This article explains which states allow conjugal visits, the history behind them, the rules applied in states where they exist, and why most states—including Kansas—do not allow them today.
What Are Conjugal Visits?
Conjugal visits are private meetings inside prison where inmates can spend extended time—usually overnight—with their legal spouse or partner. These visits were originally introduced to help prisoners stay connected with their families and reduce behavioral issues in prisons.
But not every state supports this idea anymore.
Do Kansas Prisons Allow Conjugal Visits?
The answer is No. Conjugal visits are not allowed in any Kansas prison, including well-known correctional facilities like Lansing Correctional Facility. The Federal Bureau of Prisons also does not allow conjugal visits in federal prisons across the country.
So, inmates in Kansas or in federal custody do not have this privilege.
Which States Allow Conjugal Visits?
Today, only four states in the U.S. allow conjugal visits:
- California
- New York
- Washington
- Connecticut
These states have replaced the term “conjugal visits” with family visits or extended family visits, focusing more on keeping families connected instead of just intimate relations.
Conjugal Visit Rules by State
| State | Program Name | Who Can Visit | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Family Visits | Spouse, children, siblings, parents, legal guardians | 30–40 hours in apartment-like units |
| New York | Family Reunion Program | Spouse, children, parents, grandparents, foster parents | Private, home-like setting for set time |
| Washington | Extended Family Visits | Immediate family with proof of relationship | Overnight, secure setting |
| Connecticut | Extended Family Visits | Immediate family and/or legal guardians | Designated secure space separate from others |
How Did Conjugal Visits Start?
The first conjugal visits began in the early 20th century at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. According to Time Magazine, the prison used these visits as a way to control Black inmates who were forced to work on prison farms without pay.
Officials believed that giving inmates the possibility of sex would motivate them to work harder.
Over time, the purpose shifted to family bonding and rehabilitation, but the number of states offering conjugal visits has decreased significantly.
- In 1993, 17 states allowed them.
- By 2000, only 6 states continued.
- By 2014, Mississippi and New Mexico ended their programs, leaving only 4 states today.
Rules for Conjugal Visits in States That Allow Them
Conjugal or family visits are seen as a privilege, not a right. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that prisoners do not have a constitutional right to conjugal visits.
Here are some general rules:
- Only inmates with good behavior records are allowed.
- Visits are restricted to immediate family members like spouses, children, parents, siblings, or legal guardians.
- Visits usually take place in private apartment-like units inside prison grounds.
- Duration varies between 30 to 40 hours.
Why Did Most States Ban Conjugal Visits?
There are a few main reasons:
- Security Concerns – Risk of smuggling contraband into prisons.
- Costs – Maintaining separate facilities for visits is expensive.
- Changing Attitudes – Many states now focus on rehabilitation programs rather than conjugal visits.
- Limited Use – Not many inmates qualified, making it less practical.
Conjugal visits are an interesting topic often shown in movies and TV shows, but in real life, they are very rare in the U.S. Only four states—California, New York, Washington, and Connecticut—still allow them, and they are strictly controlled under the name of family visits.
States like Kansas do not allow them at all, nor does the federal prison system.
The decline in these programs shows how prison systems have shifted away from intimate privileges and focused more on security and rehabilitation. For inmates and families in Kansas, that means no conjugal visits, only limited contact through regular visitation rules.