California DA Calls for Suspension of Conjugal Visits After Two Deaths

Unprecedented Deaths During Conjugal Visits

• 🚨 Two deaths have occurred during conjugal visits in California within the same year, an unprecedented event in the Amador County District Attorney's experience.
• ⚠️ The most recent incident involved Anthony Shawn Curry, who has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, Tania Thomas, during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison.
• ⚖️ District Attorney Todd Riebe emphasizes that while charges have been filed, Mr. Curry is presumed innocent until convicted beyond a reasonable doubt.

Calls for Review and Suspension

• 🗣️ DA Riebe believes that given the tragic events, there should be a suspension of family visitations pending a comprehensive review of the entire process.
• 🧐 The review should include evaluating inmate eligibility criteria, assessing the adequacy of safety protocols and procedures, and exploring potential technological enhancements to ensure visitor safety and privacy.
• 🌍 This issue is not isolated to Mule Creek State Prison, as these types of visits occur statewide.

Prosecuting Multiple Cases

• 📅 The DA's office is also preparing to prosecute a second similar case involving a death during a conjugal visit, highlighting a disturbing trend.
• ⏳ The process from incident to charging can take months, involving investigations and report submissions to the DA's office.
• 🏛️ DA Riebe advocates for his input on the policy, stating that prosecutors are tasked with