IONE, CA – A recent investigation into the Mule Creek State Prison has unveiled a disturbing pattern of violence, with two women killed during conjugal visits within a few months of each other. The latest victim, Stephanie Dalles, 62, was found dead in November, her death ruled a homicide. This incident prompted another family to share their own tragic story.
Janine Rojo, cousin to the second victim, Vanessa Corpus Thomas, felt compelled to speak out after hearing about Dalles’ death. Rojo and Thomas, both raised in San Francisco, shared a close bond since childhood. Thomas, a 47-year-old single mother who battled lupus for much of her life, died during a visit with her incarcerated husband, Anthony Curry, at the same prison on July 1.
The Amador County District Attorney has charged Curry, 48, with Thomas’ murder. He allegedly strangled her during their conjugal visit. Curry was already serving a sentence for attempted murder, stemming from a 1999 incident where he shot his then-girlfriend, leaving her permanently blind and partially paralyzed.
Rojo expressed her shock upon learning of her cousin’s visits to the prison. “With his history of violence, why were these visits unsupervised?” she questioned. Her concerns reflect broader issues regarding the safety protocols for such visits, especially when the inmate has a violent past.
Despite the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) having guidelines to restrict conjugal visits for inmates with certain convictions, violent crimes are not explicitly mentioned as a disqualifying factor. The CDCR maintains that these visits are intended to support family ties and rehabilitation, but Rojo argues that more needs to be done to ensure visitor safety.
The prison’s current security measures include unscheduled inspections and mandatory inmate counts, but these protocols may not be sufficient to prevent such tragedies. The recent deaths have sparked calls for increased oversight and more stringent criteria for granting such visits.
While the CDCR has responded to inquiries about security measures, it has yet to address whether there are additional similar cases. The families of the victims, along with concerned citizens, await further clarification and hope for changes that will prevent future incidents.
As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains on Mule Creek State Prison, with many questioning the balance between inmate rights and visitor safety. The tragic deaths of these two women have ignited a debate on the policies surrounding conjugal visits in the prison system.