U.S. Department of Justice
National Institute of Corrections

VIDEO VISITING IN CORRECTIONS: BENEFITS1
LIMITATIONS1 AND IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

:i1NIC

- - - - - - - - - - - - - National Institute of Corrections

Acting Director

Chief, Community Services Division

Project Manager

A

This document was funded by cooperative agreement number 12C506GKM5 from the National Institute of
Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The National Institute of Corrections reserves the right to reproduce, publish, translate, or otherwise use
and to authorize others to publish and use all or any part of the copyrighted material contained in this
publication.

FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR
Visits from family members, children and other sources of support can be a lifeline in the lives of incarcerated men
and women. Visits provide an opportunity to maintain connection, re-build relationships and actively begin to form
links to the community both for support and to assist in the reentry process. Yet, visiting takes on added
dimensions with the challenges imposed by geographical distance between facilities and visitors, cost implications
for transportation, lodging, childcare, lost wages and the roadblocks often presented from institutional security
procedures. Emerging research speaks to the Importance of building and maintaining healthy family and
community connections for men and women, during their period of incarceration as well as for planning and
Implementing the reentry process. Traditional methods of communication such as phone calls, mall and on-site
visiting have their limitations, some of which are noted above. The advent of video visiting has enhanced
traditional methods of building and sustaining those critical connections for Incarcerated Individual, It Is also an
industry which is expanding exponentially. Uttle replaces the opportunities for families to see one another in
person, but in those situations where that is not possible, video visiting is a viable option. This guide will address
the importance of visitation, introduce video visiting as a resource, ideally in concert with in-person visitation,
discuss implementation of video visiting, address the importance of setting up a process and outcome evaluation
of visiting programs and provide a set of resources for agencies interested in introducing or enhancing their
current visiting capacity.

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

FOREWORD
The Impetus for this document came from stakeholders who are keenly aware of the lmponance of vlsltlng for
incarcerated men and women. The benefits of visiting with family and other supportive individuals are welldocumented throughout the literature, research, and In the voices of the Incarcerated and their families. VIsiting
policies vary among the over 1,000 prisons and 3,300 plus jail systems across the country. What should be
consistent Is the acknowledgement by correctional leadership, via policy, that visiting can build and strengthen
family connections and provide hope and encouragement for incarcerated men and women. Visiting creates
bridges to community supports that promote productive reentry and contributes to Improved outcomes, In
particular, community safety and reduced recidivism rates.
Virtual events are now commonplace in today's environment and this modality has extended to criminal justice
practice through web-based events, telemedlclne, and video court hearings, to provide just a few examples. VIdeo
visiting software and equipment for jails and prisons are prominent in the exhibit halls at national correctional
conferences. There are a wide variety of models emerging and as the technology continues to become more
commonplace, affordable, and accessible, an increasing number of correctional systems will be using video visiting.
It must be noted that video visiting should not be deemed as an invitation to discontinue in-person visiting. With
video visiting come great opportunities as well as cautions and challenges. Creating the capacity to incorporate
both visiting approaches in policy and practice provides a resource that captures the advantages that both inperson and video provide to incarcerated populations, families, and other support systems. Well-designed visiting
practice can provide advantages to correctional systems through increased engagement in programmatic activities
and reductions In negative behavior. With that In mind, the National I nstltute of Corrections awarded a
cooperative agreement through a competitive process to the Osborne Association in New York, a well-established
agency that has on-the-ground experience with both In-person and video visiting and a long history of working to
strengthen families affected by incarceration. Through the cooperative agreement, the Osborne Association has
written a well-researched document that provides ll an overview of the Importance of visiting to Include the use
of video visiting; 2) considerations for implementing video visiting; 3) an overview for evaluating a video visiting
program; and

4l appendices that provide examples, resources, checklists and evaluation tools.

Each chapter of the guide Is valuable to assist correctional administrators and staff, as well as potential external
partners and stakeholders, to enhance current visiting policy and practice or design a system that incorporates
video visiting Into overall practice. Taken together, each chapter builds upon the preceding chapter, and the
research, practical examples, and tools that are provided throughout the guide will benefit correctional leadership
in enhancing current visiting practices.

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

PREFACE
The purpose of this guide is to inform the development of video visiting programs within a correctional setting.
"Video visiting" is real-time interactive video communication which uses video conferencing technology or virtual
software programs, such as Skype. It is an increasingly popular form of communication between separated family
members in settings outside of corrections. The rapid expansion of video visiting in jails and prisons over the past
few years suggests that video visiting may become very common in corrections in the near future.
This guide will help inform administrators about the benefits and challenges of using some common video visiting
models across a variety of settings. VIdeo vlsltlng can be a positive enhancement to In-person vlsltlng. and has the
potential to promote positive outcomes for incarcerated individuals and their families and communities. In certain
circumstances, video visiting may benefit corrections by reducing costs, improving safety and security, and
allowing for more flexibility in designating visiting hours. The value of video visiting can be maximized when the
goals of the facility are balanced with the needs of incarcerated individuals and their families.

The development of this guide was informed by current practice across the United States. Interviews were
conducted with prison and jail administrators, IT personnel, technology companies, family members of
incarcerated individuals, incarcerated individuals; community-based organizations that provide supportive video
visiting programs, and advocates for the incarcerated and their families. A survey was administered to correctional
administrators nationwide to learn a bout existing program models and implementation challenges and successes.
A literature review was conducted to learn about the various uses of video conferencing in a correctional setting.
Research on the use of video visiting in settings outside of corrections was also reviewed. And finally, articles
published in the media about video visiting in corrections were reviewed from August 2012 through January 2014.
This guide is meant to assist correctional administrators, commissioners, sheriffs, and other key decision makers in
the following activities:
Determining whether video visiting is appropriate for a particular setting or jurisdiction;
Preparing for and implementing video visiting; and
Conducting a process evaluation and preparing for an outcome evaluation.

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

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Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
lntroductlon••••••••••.••w•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ..••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1
Olapter 1: Why consider VIdeo Vlsltlns •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3

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Traditional In-Person Visiting Benefits Corrections, Families, and Communities ......................................3
Video Visiting in Corrections ..•..•..•....•..•.......•..•.......•..•.......•..•.......•..•....•..•..•....•..•..•....•..•..•....•..•..•....•..•..•..3
Benefit: Connecting Families and Building Social Support Systems ...........................................................3
o Connecting family members and supportive friends ...................................................................6
o Supporting the parent-child relationship ....................................................................................6
o Child welfare Involved families ....................................................................................................8
o VIsiting alternative for no contact populations ...........................................................................9
Benefits: Video Visiting can Help Corrections Meet Objectives ................................................................9
o Reducinl costs..............................................................................................................................10
o Improving safety and security .....................................................................................................11
o Flexibility in scheduling visiting hours and expanding visiting opportunities ............................. 12
o Supporting the mental health and institutional adjustment of the incarcerated ........................12
o Reentry planning ..........................................................................................................................13
o Reducing recidivism and increasing public safety .......................................................................14
Benefits: Video Visiting can Help Families Overcome Visiting Barriers ..................................................... 15
Limitations and Other COnsiderations .......................................................................................................16
o Video visiting is not for all families .............................................................................................16
o Families express dissatisfaction when in-person visits are discontinued ................................... 17
o Home-based video visiting has benefits and limitations .............................................................17
o Video visiting benefits the tech no logy industry ..........................................................................18
o Potential drawbacks for corrections ............................................................................................18
Additional Uses of Video COnferencinl in COrrections...............................................................................19
Concluding Summary: Benefits and Limitations ........................................................................................20

Chapter 2: Implementation COnsiderations ....................................................................................................23

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Video VIsiting Models .................................................................................................................................23
A Hybrid Approach to Visiting ....................................................................................................................24
Assessing the Setting: Prisons and Jails ......................................................................................................25
Creating an Advisory Group .......................................................................................................................26
Identifying Goals and Determining Feasibility............................................................................................26
Costs and Funding Considerations .............................................................................................................28
Developing a Request for Proposal ............................................................................................................29
Video Visiting Fees ......................................................................................................................................30
Video Visiting System .................................................................................................................................31
o Video visiting units .......................................................................................................................31
o Software .......................................................................................................................................33
o Internet Access .............................................................................................................................34
o Security ........................................................................................................................................34

Video Visiting in COrrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

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Policies and Procedures .............................................................................................................................35
Where to Place the Video Visiting Unit .....................................................................................................36
Working with a Community-Based Partner ...............................................................................................37
Develop a Communications Plan ...............................................................................................................38
Determining Launch Schedule ....................................................................................................................39

Olapter 3: Evaluat1111 a VIdeo Vlsltllll Prot~ram ...................................................................................... 41

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•
•
•
•
•

Developing an Evaluation Plan .....................................................................................................41
Developing Data Collection Tools ................................................................................................44
Data Svstems ................................................................................................................................45
Making Use of Evaluation Results ...............................................................................................45
Preparing to Assess Impact and Outcomes ..................................................................................45
Working with Researchers and Professionals in the Field ...........................................................46

Appendices: ........................................................................................................................................... 47

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Appendix 1A: Additional Uses for Video Conferencing in Corrections ........................................47
Appendix 18: Video Visiting with Children .................................................................................,51
Appendix 2A: Identifying a Video Visiting Model ......................................................................,55
Appendix 28: Implementation Checklist ......................................................................................63
Appendix 3: Evaluation Tools ......................................................................................................69

Blbll01raphy '"'"'""'"'''"'"'''"'"'""'"'""'"'""'"'""'"'""'"'""'"'"""""""""""'""'"'''"'"'''"'"'''"'"'''"' 81
Endnotes ................................................................................................................................................ 85

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

INTRODUCTION

Research confirms that incarcerated individuals, corrections, families, and communities all benefit when
incarcerated individuals can communicate with and receive visits from family and supportive community members.
VIdeo visiting Is an additional form of communication that can bulld and strengthen social support systems of the
incarcerated. This relatively new form of communication builds upon the success of video conferencing used for
court appearances, and attorney-client communication. It's also being used to bring professionals together with
those incarcerated to address pressing legal and medical issues. Video visiting and conferencing may also offer
added benefits in planning for reentry, supplementing healthcare delivery, and facilitating cross-systems
collaborations.
Video visiting is rapidly expanding in correctional facilities across the nation. However, there is a scarcity of
research about how effectively video visiting achieves, or bullds upon, the benefits known to be associated with Inperson visiting. Video visiting approaches are varied, using different technologies, partnerships, and models.
Generally speaking, visitors usually video visit from a community-based visiting center, their home, or at the
correctional facility itself.
In determining whether to use video visiting. and what model to select for a particular setting. it is best to be
informed about the benefits and challenges, and to balance the needs of corrections, incarcerated individuals,
families, and communities. The technology industry highlights the benefitS, but video visiting has its limitations and
it may be inaccessible for some families. Video visiting is in its infancy, and there is limited research about how
effectively video visiting alone or in combination with in-person visiting leads to the positive outcomes known to
be associated with in-person visiting. A hybrid visiting approach that offers both video and in-person visiting offers
the most flexibility and ensures that the benefits of in-person visiting are preserved and possibly enhanced.
Chapter One provides a brief overview of the benefits known to be associated with in-person visiting and discusses
the benefits and limitations of video visiting. Chapter Two focuses on how to assess whether video visiting is an
appropriate fit for a particular setting and discusses issues that should be considered upon implementation.
Chapter Three provides tools for conducting a process evaluation and preparing for an outcome evaluation. An
Implementation toolkit and sample evaluation tools are Included In the appendices. The appendices also Include
information about other uses for video conferencing in a correctional setting, video visiting with children, and a
listing of relevant resources.

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

CHAPTER 1: WHY CONSIDER VIDEO VISITING
Traditional In-Person Visiting Benefits Corrections, Families, and Communities

It is helpfu I to consider what we know about traditional visiting to assess
the value of video visiting. Studies confirm that incarcerated individuals
have better outcomes when they receive in-person visits from family
members and supportive community members. Specifically, traditional in-

Traditional visitina is linked to

lower behllvior incidents in Ohio
Prisons

person visiting has been found to benefit both corrections and incarcerated
A recent study on traditional

individuals by:

visitin1's effect on incarcerated
Improving institutional adjustment and psychological well-being
among the incarcerated
Reducing behavioral infractions and violent behavior among the

individuals' behavior in two Ohio
prisons (male and female fadlltles)

incarcerated

found that those receiving

Increasing incarcerated individuals' motivation to participate in

traditional visits, especially from a

programming

parental figure, had fewer

Increasing motivation to gain release from the facility
lowering recidivism and increasing public safety

behavior infractions compared to
those who did not receive visits.
This study found that even one

Traditional visiting has been found to benefit incarcerated individuals,
their families and communities by:

visit reduced infractions.

Providing incentive to maintain visiting privileges
Increasing the probability of discretionary parole
Facilitating planning and support for community reentry
Increasing the chance of obtaining gainful employment postrelease
Reducing the likelihood of using illegal substances post-release
Maintaining and strengthening the parent-child relationship
Reducing the trauma that children experience when they are separated from a parent

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

1

The New York Times

Connect ing family members and support ive friends

Video visiting can also keep families connected when travel conditions are poor. For example, the State of
Oregon's Department of Corrections experienced a voluntary decline of In-person visits at one prison during the
winter months, suggesting that home-based video visiting is attractive when travel conditions are poor (see chart

1A).6

Winter 2011

Winter 2012

Winter
2013

0

1997
5597
7594

3188
4637
7825

1977
74744
76721

15408
70498
85906

SRCI
Video Visits (VIP calls)

6978
6978

Physical Visitations
Combined (Overall Visits)

Statewide
0

Video Visits (VIP calls)

77202
n2o2

Physical Visitations
Combined (Overall Visits)

«oregon DOC visiting during winter months in 2011, 2012, and 2013»

7

Families may video visit more often than they visited before video was available. This is especially true when video
visiting Is convenient, affordable, and/or offered at a family friendly community-based site. For example, the year
after the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (D.C. Jail) started video visiting they recorded
approximately 20,000 more video visits as compared to the number of In-person visits that occurred the year prior
1

to video visiting implementation. D.C. jail administrators theorize that friends and family video visited more often
than they visited In-person because the community-based video visiting center Is family friendly ;md does not
entail long waits and security checks.
Given the critical importance of in-person visits, a decrease of in-person visits, especially between incarcerated
parents and their children, may not be a desirable trend. Infusing family- and child-friendly visiting practices at
facilities is a response that may ensure that in-person visiting continues.

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Support ing t he parent -child relat ionship

“ My son get s t o see me and
see t hat I’m o.k. It gives him
peace of mind.” —Mot her at
Albion Correct ional Facilit y,
New York St at e

12

Father participating in the video
visiting program at the New Hampshire
18

Department of Corrections

Child welfare involved families
In 2009, an estimated 14,000 children entered foster care, In part
related to parental incarceration.

21

care experienced the incarceration of a parent after entering
foster care.

21

Courts •re less llcely to termlnm

Even more children in foster

Child welfare policy and social services law generally

IJIII'ental rlahts when p•rents m•lntaln

tonslstent com.ct with their children

establish that children and parents have the right to visit.
However, in most correctional systems, visiting is considered a
privilege not a right.

23

This inconsistency between the rights of

children and those accorded to Incarcerated Individuals may be
detrimental for children who need parental contact and for
incarcerated parents who risk losing their parental rights.

The federal 1997 Adoptions and Safe
Family Act {ASFA), designed to reduce the
length of time children spend in foster
care, req ulres that termination of parental
rights proceedings begin when children

Video visiting expands communication options for child welfare-

are in foster care for 15 out of the past 22

involved families and promotes parent-child connections that

months, with some exceptions.

19

potentially lead to the following outcomes:
This timeframe Is particularly challenging
Increased visiting opportunities, which may prevent
termination of an incarcerated parent's parenta I rights.

for incarcerated parents whose average
sentence length is 80 to 100 months.

20

Opportunity for a child welfare agency to observe parenting

positive and consistent bond must be

skills, and to engage the parent In planning for the child end

demonstrated by the parent to retain

assess the progress towards the permanency plan.
Facilitation of reconciliation and reunification upon release,
reducing costs associated with parental rights termination
proceedings and lengthy stays in foster care.

A

their parental rights, but distance makes it
cha llenglng for families and caseworkers
to regularly take children to the facility.
Video visiting is another way for
incarcerated parents to maintain a bond

Reduction of costs to public agencies that provide health,

with their children. Virtual conferencing

mental health, special education and juvenile justice services
to children and families.

can also increase opportunities for
parents to participate in meetings about

Promotion of cross-systems collaboretlon between egencles

their children and virtually •parent from

(corrections and child welfare).

the Inside.•

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Visit ing alt ernat ive for no cont act populat ions
VIdeo visiting may be a viable alternative for Incarcerated lndlvld uals who are
not allowed in-person visits due to policy or medical status. Nebraska, Indiana,
and Wisconsin use video visiting for individuals who are not permitted contact
for reasons such as segregated housing.

25

ordered visits

The Federal Bureau of Prisons uses

closed-circuit video visiting for incarcerated individuals in segregated housing
and is planning to expand video visiting to connect individuals in genera I
population with their families.

VIdeo visits facilitate court

26

•All visits have been
successful ••• one visit
working with the caseworker

Benefit: Video Visiting Can Help Corrections Meet

bringing the children who

Objectives

were court ordered for
monthly visits, and one family

VIsiting policies In state prisons became more restrictive between 1991 and
2005, in part due to fiscal, staffing and security constraints.

27

Similarly, many

Jails have also experienced budget cuts that may make It challenging to enhance
or even maintain in-person visiting hours. Video visiting can help alleviate these

getting visits ordered through
divorce court. Such court
ordered visits may have taken
much longer to happen or

challenges by potentially reducing labor costs and Increasing security while
maintaining or even expanding visiting opportunities.

may not have happened at all
without the [video visiting]

Early video visiting programs were often pilots implemented with the goal of

prot~ram: -Video visiting

connecting incarcerated individuals with family members. Now video visiting is

coordinator, Florida

being used to achieve additional correctional objectives, including the following:

Department of Corrections

Reducing costs
Improving safety and security
Flexibility in scheduling visiting hours and expanding visiting opportunities
Supporting the mental health and institutional adjustment of the incarcerated
Facilitating reentry pia nnfng
Reducing recidivism and increasing public safety

"Video visitation is the wave of the future for correctional facility
communication•.•• The new system presents tremendous advantages
in time and cost savings, as well as contributing to increased safety
and security for Clare County, Michigan our facility.• -Sheriff John
Wilson, Clare County, Michigan

21

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

24

Reducing cost s
In many cases, video visiting Is less labor Intensive than traditional visltlng, allowing for correctional staff to be
reassigned to other duties. If system efficiencies lead to staff reductions or attrition, then legacy costs may also be
reduced (benefits and pensions). However, employees and labor unions may oppose actions that may lead to staff
reductions. There are costs associated with video visiting, and it is important to recognize that the amount of
savings that may be realized can vary considerably.
"Through use of this system, the
Depending on the video visiting model used, the labor hours dedicated
to visiting may be reduced In the following ways:

Department of Correction has
operated a safer and more effldent

Reduces movement
Fewer staff needed to monitor In-person vislts

facility. In 2011, DOC had 3,500

30

fewer visitors to the facility. With

Reduces or eliminates contraband searches
Reduces on-site visitor processing and visitor searches

each averted visit, our staff

Some systems automate visitor background checks and scheduling

members are able to devote their

It is unclear how video visiting will affect the frequency of in-person

time and attention to other work-

vlsltlng at facilities that use video visiting as a supplement to In-person

related tasks."

visiting. Early reports suggest that these facilities are experiencing a

of Correction Kevin Cheverko,

voluntary decline of In-person visits (see chart 1B).

31

As a result, labor

previously dedicated to in-person visiting can be dedicated to other

-Commissioner

Westchester County Jail, New
Yorklll

critical functions. on the other hand, some correctional administrators
predict that in-person visiting will increase because video visiting will improve communication with family and
friends and facilitate reconnections.

Visiting
3000

-

2500
2000

:----

1500
1000

II

500
0

Ll

I

I II

II
~

-.

J

-

~ Off-site VIsits

liiiiiiiil ln House Visits
- - Linear (Off-site Visits)
- - Linear (In House Visits )

Chart 1B: Trends in Web-Based and In-House Visitin& Washoe County Detention Center, September 201Q-August
2012"

Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Improving safet y and securit y
Video visiting Is often used to enhance safety and security,
especially at jails. A reduction in contact visits (the result of a

Lubbock County Jail Reduces Costs with

Vld.o Vlsltlnl

voluntary decrease of In-person visits mentioned above) may
reduce the flow of contraband in traditional visiting rooms.

•1n July 2010 Lubbock County completed a

Reduced traffic and congestion in waiting and visiting areas

new 400,000 square foot detention center...

potentially improves the safety of visitors, staff, and

. A key functional concept for this new

incarcerated individuals. safety and security may also improve

detention facility was the use of video

when movement is reduced. Staff are potentially freed to

visitation .•• to minimize or eliminate inmate

dedicate more time to duties that manage safety and security at
movements. Standard face-to-face visitation

a facility when in-person visiting declines.

cost in the jail design was projected to be
These security benefits should be weighed

;~g;~Tnst the

possibility

that reducing or eliminating in-person visiting may remove the
incentive for incarcerated individuals to exhibit good behavior,
thereby increasing security concerns rather than reducing
them.

35

At this early stage of video visiting, It Is unclear how

over $5.5 [million] and have heavy ongoing
operational costs. Video visitation costs were
estimated at less than half of that with less
operational costs and greater flexibility.

morale, well-being,
"Web visits Increase the safety of our

and rehabilitation

inmates and our staff. safety is our

among those

highest priority, and every time we

incarcerated will be

move Inmates through the jail for

affected when in-

visits, a potential safety concern
exists. Web-based visits reduce those

person visiting is
reduced or

particularly In

opportunities for introducing

prisons where

contraband into the jail:-Debi

individuals are
likely to be housed
for long periods of

Manager, Washoe County Sheriffs
Office, Reno, Nevada

responses were for older analog systems with
a tremendous initial cost. Lubbock County
chose to perform the video visitation
engineering and Implementation in-house.

eliminated,

concerns and greatly reduce

Campbell, Detention Operations

When Lubbock County issued an RFP, the

time.

There are currently 100 public visitation
booths, 140 booths in the cell pods, 6 secure
attorney booths at the jail, 10 secure
attorney booths at the courthouse, and a
portable booth. There have been over

34

100,000 video visits made from August 2010
through Aprll2011.n

33

Early reports from the field indicate that inappropriate behavior
is not a common problem that arises during video visits. For example, Oregon DOC has only had 40 major
misconduct reports out of 26,596 video visits, a .15% incidence rate.

36

Software is available to monitor video visits

for inappropriate behavior and language and will terminate visits as needed.
Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Flexibilit y in scheduling visit ing hours and expanding visit ing opport unit ies

Support ing t he ment al healt h and inst it ut ional
adjust ment of t he incarcerat ed

Reent ry planning

Video conferencing can bring the reentry
team together “ virtually” when travel to the
facility is not possible or places an undue
burden on team member

t were 13 percent less likely to

25 percent less likely to be incarcerated

Reducing recidivism and increasing public safet y

shown to reduce the stress associated

Benefit: Video Visiting Can Help Families Overcome Visiting Barriers
The costs associated with travel, lost earnings, and overpriced on-site food from vending machines are financially
burdensome for low-income families, making it challenging to visit frequently, if at all.

52

Distance is a major barrier

for families. Given the benefits of in-person visiting, correctional systems would benefit from considering proximity
to families in their custody and program placement decisions. Video visiting located in or near families' residences
can supplement or make contact possible when proxima I placement is not feasible due to security levels,
programming requirements, location of facilities, and other correctional policies.
Video visiting has the potential to overcome common visiting barriers for families such as:
Distance and travel costs
Lost earnings and missed school
Facility is not accessible by public transportation
Narrowly defined visiting policy (e.g. immediate family only, no children)
Limited availability of visiting hours
Long wait to enter visiting room
Friends and families with conviction records are not eligible to visit at the facility
Visiting process is not child-friendly
Visiting hours are cancelled due to security issues at the facility
Families are turned away (e.g., too many in party, improperly dressed, overcrowding, etc.)

Video visitina ovet"comes some vilitinl banriers
win the previous building. people coming in for a visitation had to be approved through a background check.
Now we don't deny as many applications to visit inmates because they just come into the public lobby area [so
background checks are no longer required]: -Sgt. Jana Abens, Polk County Sheriff. 53

Video visiting can accommodate families who cannot visit at the facility during traditional visiting hours. It
eliminates the difficult decision caregivers of school-age children are often forced to make-choosing between
their children visiting their incarcerated parent at the facility or attending school when only weekday/daytime
visiting hours are offered. Allowing for visits (video and in-person visits) to be scheduled in advance decreases the
likelihood that visitors will be turned away from visiting centers due to overcrowding.
Additional benefits for famllles may Include the following:
Connects Incarcerated youth and their Incarcerated parents confined at separate fclcilltles
Allows for visits from elderly or disabled family members who cannot travel
Increases frequency of contact between traditional visits
May be less traumatizing for children as compared to non-contact visits through glass
Empowering for children to schedule and initiate visits with their parents
Video Visiting in Corrections: Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Considerations

Video visit ing is not for all families