Court Opinion

ID: 9811458
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:21:17.387246+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:14:40.624576
License: Public Domain

CATHERINE STONE, Justice,
concurring.
As the majority states, “It is undisputed that Hanes and Maria conceived S.F. while Hanes was in prison.” Perhaps a more apt description is that it is unbelievable, unimaginable, and totally unacceptable that S.F. was conceived on prison grounds while her mother held the hand of her eight year old daughter and while other male inmates surrounded the couple and shielded them from the prison guards’ view.
Prisoners have no constitutionally protected right to conjugal visits with their spouse or partner during periods of incarceration. Stuart v. Heard, 359 F.Supp. 921, 924 (S.D.Tex.1973). Likewise, it has been established that authorities in charge of inmates can be subjected to criminal prosecution when they permit conjugal visits. See United States v. Marmolejo, 89 F.3d 1185 (5th Cir.1996), aff'd sub nom, Salinas v. United States, 522 U.S. 52, 118 S.Ct. 469, 139 L.Ed.2d 352 (1997) (holding that sheriff and deputy could be prosecuted for accepting bribes to allow conjugal visits in county jail). That Hanes was allowed the opportunity to engage in sexual relations with Maria on prison grounds is beyond comprehension. Even more unfathomable is Hanes’ conduct in appealing the termination and suggesting that S.F. can be placed with his mother — who has allegedly maintained an inappropriate sexual relationship with one of her other sons. This entire scenario gives new meaning to the term “frivolous appeal.” In my opinion, Hanes should be fined for pursuing a frivolous appeal, and the funds should be directed to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services for S.F.’s benefit. The unfortunate truth is that paying such a fine would be the most generous gift Hanes could offer this child.