Maine Corrections Commissioner Joseph Fitzpatrick knows that prisoners in jail have a better chance of being productive members of society when they are released if they stay connected with their families while they are locked up. Even those without Fitzpatrick’s background in clinical psychology know from common sense that cutting someone off from in-person contact with their loved ones can be psychologically troubling.

Yet the Department of Corrections (DOC) is now proposing new visitation rules that would apply to all jails in the state and, unfortunately, they have little to do with common sense.

Under the new rules, jails could offer video visitation between prisoners and their family members and friends. Taken alone, that might not be a bad thing – as jails’ video technology advances, it could provide a way for those who might not otherwise be able to visit to do so.

The problem with video visitation technology, though, is that the private firms that provide the equipment to jails often “make a condition of their services that video visitation become the only form of visiting available,” David Fathi, director of the ACLU’s National Prison Project, recently told The Daily Dot. “Adding video visitation as an optional supplement would be fine. Making it the only option available to people and charging for it is not fine,” Fathi said. “That stinks to high heaven. That’s not about security – that’s about maximizing your profit.”

Unfortunately, some Maine jails are moving toward banning in-person visitation in favor of video-only visits. And the new rues being proposed by DOC don’t come anywhere near close to ensuring that in-person visits will continue.

In the draft proposal, the DOC has so far penned only tepid language regarding access to meaningful visitation by family and loved ones. One rule, J.11, states: “Facilities should make provisions for contact visits when warranted.” Using the word “should” and the phrase “when warranted” make the rule so weak it is almost meaningless. Another rule, J.18, allows for video visitation in jails but makes no guarantee that jails cannot use video visitation technology to eliminate in-person visitation.

Studies have shown that prisoners who have in-person family visits while in jail are less likely to misbehave while in custody and are less likely to convicted of crimes after being released. Even the American Correctional Association, the 146-year-old organization that provides accreditation for Maine’s correctional facilities, supports in-person family visitations for prisoners.

The DOC can do better, and the ACLU of Maine told it so in both written testimony and at public hearing at the Department’s headquarters in Augusta on August 15. The Department will continue accepting written comment on the proposed changes until August 30.

Each week we will provide you with a rundown of top news stories and must-read articles.

Charlottesville

Armed white supremacists, Nazis, and KKK klansmen marched in Charlottesville this weekend to protest the removal of Confederate statues.  Thousands of counter protesters marched in response to this repulsive display of hate. In a horrifying act of violence, one of the white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counter protesters –killing 1 and injuring 19.

THE ACLU’s RESPONSE

THE ACLU OF VIRGINIA’S STATEMENT

DoJ attains search warrant for anti-Trump website

It was revealed this week that the Department of Justice has a wide-ranging search warrant to collect huge amounts of information from a website used to organize anti-Trump protests. This search warrant is a major constitutional threat and is part of a concerning trend of privacy overreach by the government.

THE ACLU’S TAKE

Scathing federal audit reveals Maine DHHS’ failing

The Maine DHHS failed to investigate 133 deaths of individuals with development disabilities who were under state care. This incredible failing by the department meant that the deaths of these people were never investigated for abuse or misconduct.

Potential pardon for sheriff known for cruelty and racial profiling

News outlets this week reported that Trump is considering a pardon for former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio was just recently found guilty for criminal contempt for failing to follow a judge ruling ordering Arpaio to stop the racial profiling within his department.

TAKE ACTION

DACA in danger

In 2012, President Obama protected thousands of undocumented children from deportation when he signed the executive order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). A handful of states want DACA gone and are pushing Trump to take yet another hurtful anti-immigrant action. The bipartisan Dream Act is a ray of hope that could save DACA.

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