New York Department of Corrections. One of the Top 10 Prison Populations
Prisoner Experts Label Same Sex Conjugal Visits as a “Setback” in Prison Reform
The State of New York has just approved conjugal visits for same sex married couples inside of their state prison system. Due to the fact that same sex marriages are not recognized as normal unions, the visits are being called “family reunions” which keeps an abstract label on the visitation.
Prisons across the country are in need of serious reform. There are numerous federal violations as to human rights and other violations as to denials of mail and violence towards inmates that needs to be addressed. The majority of prisons cannot keep inmates safe from brutal rapes, the State of New York included, or protected from violent attacks that may result from known outward sexual preferences.
Prisonworld Magazine, an international magazine for inmates, their families, lawyers, activists and organizations alike, receives numerous pieces of mail weekly from inmates who tell stories of homosexual violence within the system. “When I heard about the ruling my heart just dropped. Governor Cuomo must have made this decision due to political motivation. Who in their right mind would think that this was helping? This move is out of touch with what is going on within the system. This was a popularity move and not a move of logic. Being a homosexual in prison is harder than being a homosexual in the military. We will follow this new policy closely.”, says Jenny Triplett, co-editor-in-chief.
LGBT organizations who have worked diligently on this policy change are touting this as a victory with hope that it will spread throughout the country. There are no known documented visitations, or family reunions to date. The backlash from these types of conjugal visits may never make it to mainstream media or may be categorized as a regular prison incident to keep the public ignorant of the facts.
“On our radio show, we interviewed a best-selling author from prison who wrote about how homosexuality is played like a chess game. Some that actually live the lifestyle outside of prison never reveal it during their sentence because of fear. Some have been used as ‘play thangs’ for gang leaders or inmates who offer protection in return for sexual favors. Those coming into the system become ‘Likely Suspects’ as to who is and who isn’t a homosexual. The letters are going to start pouring in, probably in shock and disbelief. Prison life is lived by a different set of rules. That is one of the reasons why we started Prisonworld. Not only do the inmates need to be informed and educated but those living outside of the system need information as to how they can help make it better. The State of New York has set the prison system back 30 years if not more. Get ready for Shawshank Redemption.” says Rufus Triplett, co-editor-in-chief.
Rufus and Jenny Triplett are co-Editors-in-Chief of Prisonworld Magazine, which is published by Dawah International, LLC, a multimedia company. The magazine is printed on a bi-monthly basis and has a yearly readership of 350,000. They are co-hosts and co-producers of the weekly radio show the Prisonworld Radio Hour. Jenny is a requested speaker for correctional facilities, non-profit organizations, schools, radio and TV shows and print magazines. Rufus is a member of the group, Likely Suspect, which provides acapella entertainment for the speaking presentations. For more information about the magazine log onto www.prisonworldmagazine.com. For more information on interviews and the Pressures of Society Presentation, contact Jenny Triplett 678-233-8286 or www.rufusandjennytriplett.com or [email protected].
