HI SCR7

Department of Human Services, in consultation with Department of Public Safety, shall work with the Family Reunification Working Group and community stakeholders to develop a plan for children-friendly and family-friendly visitation centers at all state correctional prisons and jails.

Department of Human Services must submit reports on visitation center status, findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Sessions of 2020 and 2021.

Reports must include assessments of child accommodations in current prison and jail visitation areas and recommendations to address specific issues.

Resolution acknowledges that parental incarceration is an adverse childhood experience linked to increased risk of antisocial behavior, mental health problems, school failure, and unemployment in children.

Resolution notes that improved visitation conditions and maintained parent-child relationships are associated with lower recidivism rates, fewer parole violations, and reduced intergenerational incarceration.