Protect In-Person Visits in NYS Correctional Facilities
Visiting is a lifeline for families separated by incarceration, but limited visiting hours at correctional facilities make it difficult to visit. We are concerned that jails across the country are being enticed by for-profit video conferencing companies to reduce in-person visiting hours, taking away a vital connection for those incarcerated and their loved ones. The Protect In-Person Visiting bill (A4603/S5037) would prevent this by ensuring in-person visits cannot be replaced with video, and requiring correctional facilities to offer evening and/or weekend visiting hours.
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CONTACT NY STATE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HEASTIE
Contact:
518-455 3791​
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​Sample script:​
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Dear Speaker Heastie,
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I urge the Assembly to pass the Protect In-Person Visits bill, A4603.
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.
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Thank you,
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Contact State Leadership ​​
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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.
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
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Hello,
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I am your constituent and I urge you to co-sponsor 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 FIVE years in a row and I ask the Assembly to do the same.
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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.
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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.
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Thank you,