A 62-year-old grandmother was found murdered during an overnight “conjugal visit” with her convicted murderer husband at a California prison, raising serious questions about the state’s inmate visitation policies.
Stephanie Dowells, 62, was visiting her husband, David Brinson, 54, at Mule Creek State Prison in Northern California when she was strangled to death, according to an Amador County coroner’s report. Brinson, who was convicted of killing four men in 1993 and sentenced to life without parole, claimed Dowells had simply passed out.
Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, expressed outrage and disbelief, questioning how such a violent offender was allowed unsupervised access to a visitor.
“How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it,” Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, told KCRA-TV. “My mom was just left alone, and she called for help, I’m sure, and there’s nothing she could do.
“Given the history that this guy has, we kind of wanted to know how is it even possible for them to be unsupervised?”
Despite Brinson’s violent history, California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) defended its policy, stating that family visits are a “privilege” requiring strict eligibility criteria. However, the prison’s operations manual prioritizes inmate privacy during these visits, allowing for only four required check-ins in a 24-hour period, with unscheduled checks permitted but not mandated.
No charges have been filed in Dowells’ death, but law enforcement is investigating the homicide.
A conjugal visit is a private visit granted to an inmate and their spouse or partner, typically allowing them to spend time together in a more intimate setting. These visits, which can last several hours to a few days, usually take place in designated housing units within the prison facility. The primary purpose is to maintain family bonds and provide an opportunity for physical intimacy.
