...and treated as non-human. We can't have inmates feeling anything but pain and rejection.

That's a terrible idea.

Easy to hate. These inmates earn the privilege I am sure. These are people who made a mistake. Many are victims themselves. The job of the state is rehabilitate.its not about punishment. Its about fixing the problem. But instead, the private prison system just does even more damage to an already damaged person.
The right want victims for their hate . They lust for blood and they love to hate.

My son is back in prison, for a drug charge again. No violence, no stealing...here in New Mexico, my daughter & I got to take real food for us to share and hug (can't do that for more than a second when visiting) to our hearts' content. We took steak (Nathan's choice, of course) to grill and lots of fruit and veggies. Those visits were under the same policy as the conjugal visits. Keeping families close should be a priority since the vast majority will be coming back to our communities.
The compassion, the reason expressed by DUers touched me so deeply. Thank you.

It's hard to believe there are actually people who spend their time trying to think up new ways of making life more tragic than it already is for people in prison.

I was thinking after reading it that without a doubt just getting the chance to see each other regularly helps keep the prisoners and their loved ones something to live for, a way to keep from completely falling apart.

We all are aware, too, of the difference in the ways people end up in prison, that those with enough money or other advantages often can buy the defense to keep them out, or be prosecuted in the first place, or even arrested.

Thank you, so much, for sharing your thoughts on this.

We have to wonder what the hell is going on in New Mexico in recent years. It's looking pretty damned rough in the news reports which make it to national readerships.

Hope the people of the state can make the difference and get this horrible idea withdrawn, somehow.