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Editor: Effective November 1, 1996, certain groups of prisoners are no longer eligible to participate in Family Visiting. As a life prisoner who has yet to receive a parole date, I am affected by this change - and so is my beloved mother.

It is the families, especially children, who suffer most. We lose valuable time together in a setting which is conducive to true intimacy, that degree of openness and vulnerability which is impossible among prisoners. Our families need to see that side of us, need to be with us in circumstances that allow feelings to be shown, healing to take place, for all. Ultimately, of course, society benefits as well.

Although the media machine has done a great deal in recent years to "publicize" prison life, so much of what goes on behind the barriers - both physical and intangible - that separate prisoners from society remains a mystery.

The Family Visiting issue is a good example. For years, anti-prisoner hatemongers worked to deprive certain groups of prisoners of this most precious of all privileges, one we have earned through consistently exemplary behavior and work performance. Insisting on the use of the term "conjugal" visits, rather that the proper title, "victims' rights" advocates and others promoted the questionable logic: "Why should these animals enjoy their families when we can't?"

My mother and I have worked hard to heal - as a family, as individual women - since I came to prison nearly 15 years ago. Both of us are survivors. We survived the tragedy that brought me to prison, and we will survive this latest attempt by the State of California to dehumanize prisoners and destroy not only our family support but the families themselves.

It is our greatest challenge yet.

Marcia Bunney Central California Women's Facility Chowchilla, California

Editor's note: Over twelve years ago the Family Visiting program was implemented, and it has been considered a successful way to reduce recidivism and violence in prisons. But for some odd reason, around five years ago conservative legislators began introducing bills to eliminate this program, and they got enthusiastic support from members of victims' right groups who go to great lengths to spread their hate and revenge message. They have finally won the first round...for now...and over 70,000 prisoners and their families are no longer allowed to get together for Family Visits. The question is: How can such a small group of people control the lives of so many families? Why is preference given to their pain is such a disproportionate way?

The families of the incarcerated are not giving up to this destructive force. They know that this is just the beginning of the attack on all visiting. This is part of the "get tough on crime" ploy being used by politicians, even though making conditions in prison more unbearable has nothing to do with stopping the cause of the violence in the streets. The families have launched a federal level case to regain their visits, but they need your support...either financial or personal, like volunteer help. Please contact them at the address below, and know that anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.

Family Visiting Litigation Fund Prison Law Office General Delivery San Quentin, CA 94964

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