I would guess that because she's in prison, she wouldn't be able to just take a cab or get a family member to drive her. Security risks and all. I doubt if the state would be able to send guards with her if they can't use state funds to take her there in the first place.
Any of the stories mention if she became pregnant while she was an inmate? If she did, maybe they should re-think the types of visits allowed while incarcerated if the female inmates aren't going to either use birth control or abstain.
coulda been a hack too.