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Program Allows Video Visits of Some Inmates
A bill approved unanimously by state lawmakers will allow video visits by the families of people in prison. A three-year pilot project could use existing video conferencing equipment at Illinois prisons, and at several non-profit organizations around the state, to allow inmates to see family members who aren’t able to visit the prison in person.

State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), the bill's sponsor, joined several other state lawmakers and advocates in saying that increasing contact between prisoners and their families will cut down on recidivism, and help the children of inmates, who are more at risk of ending up in prison because a parent is incarcerated.

Jodina Hicks, chief program officer for the Safer Foundation, and Sonja Foster of the Illinois African-American Family Commission, says this no-cost program can bring only good results.

The Illinois Department of Corrections has the authority to choose which prisons participate, and select which prisoners will be allowed to have a video visit. The measure now awaits the governor's action.

(Illinois Radio Network)
11 23 09 by Newsroom
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