TELEPHONE SURVEYS WERE MADE TO ASCERTAIN THE OPINIONS OF THE PUBLIC IN TWO SOUTHERN CITIES TOWARD CONJUGAL VISITS. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT AS PUNISHMENT-ORIENTED AS EXPECTED, THOUGH OLDER RESPONDENTS GAVE GREATER APPROVAL TO RESTRICTIVE CONJUGAL VISITATION POLICIES. THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS THAT THE PUBLIC IS MORE WILLING TO SUPPORT SUCH PROGRAMS AS CONJUGAL VISITS AND WORK RELEASE THAN WAS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. A WILLINGNESS FOR MORE FAVORABLE TREATMENT OF INMATES WAS FOUND AMONG THOSE WHO HAD SOME CONTACT WITH INMATES.