A conjugal visit is a scheduled visit during which an inmate of a penal institution is permitted to have sexual intercourse with a visitor in a closely controlled setting. It is generally stipulated that this visitor be a spouse. The generally recognized basis for permitting such a visit is that, even though the inmate has lost their rights with incarceration, their spouse still has the right to enjoy sexual intimacy, and can not be required to divorce or commit adultery in order to enjoy conjugal rights.
Inmates are required to meet certain requirements to qualify for this privilege, e.g. no violation of the rules in the last six months, history of good behavior, etc. The inmate must also be free of any sexually-transmitted diseases. The practice is usually restricted to minimum security facilities. During the visit, the inmate and visitor are usually led to a special private ___location, often a trailer or dedicated room, and often provided with certain supplies, such as soap, condoms, tissues, sheets, pillows, and towels. As a matter of procedure, both visitor and inmate are searched before and after the visit, to ensure that the visitor has not attempted to sneak any items in or out of the facility.
In popular culture
The concept of the conjugal visit, like many other features of prison culture, has achieved mythic status in popular culture. Template:Spoiler
- On an episode of Seinfeld, for instance, "conjugal visit sex" was described as the only thing better than makeup sex. Later in the episode, however, George declares that fugitive sex is better than either of the other two.
- "The Simpsons" has also made light of the conjugal visit, in an episode where Marge goes to jail after being convicted of stealing from the Kwik-E-Mart. While in jail Homer goes to visit her and they are allowed to have a conjugal visit, which results in a scene where Marge tackles Homer so hard to the extent that the trailer tips over.
- In the movie Office Space, the possibility of conjugal visits should they be incarcerated due to embezzlement serves to minimize the perceived threat for the main characters, with one commenting that he hasn't "...had a conjugal visit in six months."
- In the "Visiting Ours" episode of Arrested Development, Michael arranged a conjugal visit between his parents.
- In the Fox TV-Series Prison Break, Fernando Sucre loses his conjugal rights when Michael Scofield tests him to see if he's trustworthy.
- In an episode of the Fox TV-Series House M.D., Dr. Gregory House states after receiving a court order to treat a patient, that instead of combating the order, he could go to prison. He jokes with his boss, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, that her new fantasy would be a conjugal visit with him.