Child-friendly visiting rooms; state correctional facilities may provide. (SB28)

Introduced By

Sen. Yvonne Miller (D-Norfolk)

Progress

√
 Introduced
X
 Passed Committee
☐
 Passed House
√
 Passed Senate
☐
 Signed by Governor
☐
 Became Law

Description

Child-friendly visiting rooms in state correctional facilities. Requires each state correctional facility to provide child-friendly visiting rooms to promote positive bonds between incarcerated parents and their children. This bill requires the Department of Corrections to promulgate regulations governing the use of these visiting rooms that do not penalize inmates with sanctions, such as termination of a visit, due to normal child behavior. View Full Text »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed
View Bill's History

Comments

Marsha Maines writes:

The facilities that house inmates, including those 'heinious criminals' that cannot afford to pay whatever the DCSE claims they should, have NOWHERE for the families visiting them to actually 'visit'.
It's a first-come first serve, only 1/2 hour, push and shove and chaotic RUSH to try to get on the 'list', then get 'in' the waiting room, then 'in' the visitation room where EVERYONE is piled on top of each other without the ability to even 'talk' to the inmate. Children, which are supposedly the 'reason' that child support obligors are housed in these facilites, have NO REAL ACCESS to their parent in these facilites...how is this in 'the child's best interest'???

Posted 53 months ago.
Marsha Maines writes:

Stand outside in 20 degree weather with YOUR children for an HOUR and a HALF to keep your place in line to get 'on the list'...then tell me housing a poor parent for inability to 'pay' in a jail isn't cruel and unusual punishment...oh, and GOD FORBID anyone needs to go potty... then you can forget your visitation for the week..and what about those that have to drive 2 or more HOURS just to get in line for an hour or two, just to get on the list...

Posted 53 months ago.
Marsha Maines writes:

When 40% of 600 inmates in a regional jail are there on 'child support', and visitation is only permitted for 20 inmates at a time, ONCE a week, how is this not 'cruel'?

Posted 53 months ago.