Protect Visiting
Protect In-Person Visits in NYS Correctional Facilities
Visiting is a lifeline, but limited visiting hours make it difficult to visit. Jails across the country are enticed by predatory video conferencing companies to reduce or eliminate in-person visiting hours to make money off of families who need to be connected. Passing the New York State Protect In-Person Visiting bill would require correctional facilities to offer evening or weekend visiting hours and protect in-person visiting hours from being replaced with video.
Take Action
Three things you can do to protect visiting
Contact your NY State Assemblymember
Sample Script:
Hello,
I am your constituent and I urge the Assembly to pass the Protect In-Person Visits bill A4603 to prevent visits in New York's prisons and jails from being replaced with expensive video calls. The Senate passed this bill SIX years in a row and I ask the Assembly to do the same.
Visiting is a lifeline for families with incarcerated loved ones, but limited visiting hours at some jails make it difficult to visit and I am alarmed that jails across the country are replacing in-person visits with expensive video calls.
This bill would require correctional facilities in New York to offer evening and/or weekend visiting hours and protect in-person visits from being replaced with video conferencing. Video is a good supplement but we need in person visits too. Families are counting on you.
Thank you,
Get on BlueSky to Contact your State Representatives
Contact State Leadership:
I urge New York to Protect In-Person Visits (A4603/S5037) in prisons and jails. Pricey video calls are replacing visits at jails across the country. We cannot let this happen in NY! @speakercarlheastie.bsky.social @leaderasc.bsky.social pass this bill now to ensure families can visit in person.
Contact your State Senator and Assemblymember:
Visits are a lifeline, but limited visit hours at some jails make visiting difficult. [tag your Senator and Assemblymember] please co-sponsor A4603/S5037 to require evening or weekend visit hours & #ProtectVisits from being replaced with video. #LoveLivesInPerson
Contact:
518-455 3791
Speaker@nyassembly.gov
Sample script:
Dear Speaker Heastie,
I urge you to support the Protect In-Person Visits bill, A4603. The Senate has passed it six years in a row and I urge the Assembly to do the same when session resumes.
Visiting is a lifeline for families with incarcerated loved ones, but limited visiting hours at some jails make it difficult to visit and I am alarmed that jails across the country are replacing in-person visits with expensive video calls.
This bill would require correctional facilities in New York to offer evening and/or weekend visiting hours and protect in-person visits from being replaced with video conferencing. Video is a good supplement but we need in person visits too. Families are counting on you.
Thank you,
