The following op-ed was authored by Tachana Marc, policy analyst at the Florida Policy Institute. The column appeared in the Florida Times-Union.
The Florida Department of Corrections has proposed a new rule that would significantly reduce inmates’ visitation hours at all 50 state prisons.
Under the rule, visitation hours would be granted every other weekend instead of every weekend. Such a change is meant to address ongoing issues with understaffing and increased contraband coming into facilities. This is the wrong response and would have adverse consequences.
Visitation plays a vital role in helping inmates remain connected to their loved ones.
And among its numerous other flaws, a policy to limit visitations would deprive children of the chance to develop and maintain meaningful parent-child interactions.
