Should a person in prison be able to keep visitation rights with their child?

Question

I hav ebeing paying child support to my ex and my boy is nearly 2. I'm being sentenced next month and expecting about 3 years. I think I've been a good Dad and want to stay in contact with my son but my ex says she won't bring him to visit (even if it's allowed) Can she do that or do I have any say with this?

Answer 1

As an inmate, you really don't have many rights at all, and I don't think she can be forced to bring him to visit you. If you have other family who can fund your commissary account, I hope they will help out to the extent they can so you can write to your boy (he won't be able to read, but you can still send them) and send an occasional treat to the extent you're able.

There are programs for kids with parents in prison to get Christmas gifts from their parent in prison.

Do what you can with letters and phone calls to keep in touch with him. Obviously, your ex can control whether he receives them, but that shouldn't stop you from doing all you can to be in your son's life.

Prison is generally not a great environment to get better from whatever your problems are, but to the extent you can, use the time to get better from your addiction, proclivity to steal, or whatever landed you in legal troubles, so you can be a good candidate for a good job and new start when you get out.

Here's hoping the sentence is reduced to more like a year than three. My fear is that with you gone more time than your son has been alive so far, if your ex doesn't want you around him, she will have grounds for that. However, if you have paid your child support regularly and been in his life, you should be able to fight it.

Good luck to you, and be safe and as well as you can when you do your time. Make good choices so that you do your time -- it doesn't do you.

Answer 2

Do you have visitations now if so yes she can be ordered to bring you're child to visit you at the jail.She may not like it but it doesn't matter if its ordered she has to do it.Depending on you're offense as well.If it is something serious you're rights can be taken.I would reccommend contacting the prosecutor in which you were sentenced.Good luck and yes I feel you should still have you're rights only if you have been in that childs life from day one if not then you should not see it.

Answer 3

This is a difficult and peculiar question to answer.

But, I can say, better consult an attorney about this.

Take his help in this matter.

Selfishness thy name is woman!

Sorry man!

I pray to unseen God to bestow goodness and common sense to your senseless ex-wife.

Answer 4

You would need to consult an attorney.  However, think about how it may affect your son.  That is what really matters.  Not how it affects you.  I would talk to a child psychologist about what would be best for the child.

Answer 5

that is a very hard one. if you where a good day i believe you should be allow to see him.  but you have understand what she is thinking to. maybe she don't want her son to be in a jail. my kids use to visit my brother.  

Answer 6

You have rights. The problem today with men is that they believe they have no rights no matter. If your paying child support or not you have rights. Father's rights are just as important as mother's rights. There are laws protecting the fathers. Take her to court and fight it. You can still fight it in prison. Prison should never be a reason to keep a child away from there father. It is better to have contact and communication with your child then to have none.  Good Luck