Rehnquist Family Values

At one time, the Supreme Court treated rights involving marriage, family, and the raising of children to be of fundamental importance in our society. Conservatives in America certainly use the rhetoric of Family Values to great effect. The Rehnquist Court, however, is bucking that trend and ruling against family values. In their decision in the case of Overton v. Bazzetta, the Court held that there are few restrictions on a prison's ability to limit prisoners' visitation with family and children.

A prison can, then, prevent a person from seeing their spouse, parents, or children for years - and the reason can be anything from security to saving money. According to the Court, writing letters (nevermind if you are illiterate) and phone calls (nevermind if you have no money) should suffice. "Alternatives to visitation need not be ideal," the Court wrote, "they need only be available." The fact that visitation with family is key to helping rehabilitate a prisoner is, well, irrelevant.

Read More:

• Who is William Rehnquist?
• Family Values