Subject: FW: Review Draft, LD 21101511D- Electronic visitation; video visitation services in certain correctional facilities.

Proposed Budget Amendment for Prison Family Video Visits

Requests can be made of Agency Name: Out of this Appropriation the Department of Corrections (DOC) provides Prison Family Video Visitation Services.

Funding is “Increase” for Second Year; General Fund GF @ $250,000.00

Explanation of Amendment

Please explain the purpose of your amendment or attach explanatory materials. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT as it ensures the staff has adequate background information to draft your budget amendment request.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENT: (Explain or Attach Materials)

Out of this appropriation, the Department of Corrections (DOC) shall use $250,000 from the second year (2021) General Fund (GF) to provide the expansion and to subsidize prison family video visitation services . The purpose of this legislative budget amendment is to promote public safety by allowing constructive reintegration for offenders with their families and children, to increase family and community ties prior to the release of the offender, to decrease the likelihood of recidivism and to reduce State financial burdens by actively engaging non-custodial parents in the support and parenting of their children. Studies show that family communications programs, such as, the Kairos Horizon's Program located at Tamoca Florida Prison, reported a 33% drop in recidivism for its intensive prison family communications program participants, compared to those not participating. There are Corrections Department savings from effective Family Video Visiting programs. Additionally, the current program by churches and non-profit charities can’t begin to meet the need or fill the gap. The Assisting Families of Inmates, (AFOI), for example, organizes and arranges for prison family video visits with inmates. AFOI’s mission to support families is strengthened by any legislation & funding that expands & improves visitation opportunities and lowers the cost to visitors and inmates

Additional Summary Information

Almost every inmate has family ties, over forty percent have children mostly on welfare, and we know almost every inmate returns to their communities, most within three years. To prepare inmates for successful re-entry, Virginia should follow a wise course of action by supporting and offering successful pre-release family communication programs modeled after Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI). Family-inmate links in Virginia are few without AFOI, especially now during this pandemic. The AFOI program is made possible with volunteers, primarily people of faith and generous individuals coming from various faith communities and non-profits. The cost of video visits facilitated via Global Tel Link (GTL) for the family of prisoners is prohibitive for many, unjustly impeding family contact with loved ones. This Budget Amendment is also intended to subsidize rates to assure family visitations. This program strategy focuses on meeting the challenges that impede family reunification and to be integrated into other transitional programs to establish, reestablish or maintain family ties and communications.