Skip to main content

To: Congress

Pass the Video Visitation Act - H.R.6441

Petition Text

Sign this petition asking Congress to ensure that correctional facilities do not ban in-person visits.

Why is this important?

This petition is in support of Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth’s Video Visitation in Prisons Act, which would require the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that correctional facilities that have video visitation services do not ban in-person visits.

U.S. jails and prisons are increasingly using video visitation to replace in-person visits. Some carceral facilities have even taken measures to end in-person visits entirely. Securus, for example, a company that provides phone services and video visitation for jails, requires jails and prisons to immediately suspend in-person visits after adopting their contract.

Although video visitation is an important option for people with physical illnesses, disabilities, and limited time and finances, in-person prison visits help incarcerated people to maintain vital relationships with their family members and loved ones on the outside. Face-to-face jail and prison visits are one of the few available opportunities for connection granted to people locked behind bars. We must protect this basic human right.

Updates

2018-03-29 07:29:26 -0400

5,000 signatures reached

2017-03-07 12:38:56 -0500

1,000 signatures reached

2017-03-07 11:56:53 -0500

500 signatures reached

2017-03-07 11:37:58 -0500

100 signatures reached

2017-03-07 11:35:27 -0500

50 signatures reached

2017-03-07 11:34:00 -0500

25 signatures reached

2017-03-07 11:32:11 -0500

10 signatures reached