Slammer Nuptials

"Get me to the prison on time" is the latest refrain in California's twelve penal institutions. Since last October, when the California state legislature passed a statute restoring numerous civil rights to felons, including the right to marry, the wedding bells have been ringing loudly. In the last quarter of 1975, some 177 prisoners, or about 1% of state inmates, tied the knot. Slammer marriage ceremonies, usually per formed by prison chaplains or county officials, are maintaining roughly this same pace in the early months of 1976. Weddings are open to all prisoners, even the "lifers."

One reason for the increased tempo of marriages apparently is that inmates can then qualify for conjugal family visits, a practice inaugurated in California in 1968. This arrangement allows prisoners to use special prison housing units for trysts of up to 48 hours with spouses on the average of once every three months. Explains Department of Corrections Spokesman Philip Guthrie: "Our philosophy is now one of trying to make prison inmates responsible for their own decisions. It's also a reasonable speculation that it reduces tension behind the walls. But speculation is all it is. We don't have any evidence."

Last week Inmate Robert Bratton, 27, a welder serving ten years to life in San Quentin for armed robbery, happily married a 27-year-old outsider, Karen Toombs. Bratton and his wife were allowed a 19-hour honeymoon in the family housing unit. Said Bratton: "I think it's a great idea. It gives a man a chance to get closer with his woman. It helps you do time; it's something to look forward to."

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