HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) reached a milestone in 2024, reporting the highest number of visits between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones in the department’s history. With nearly one million total visits recorded, the DOC underscored the critical role of family and community connections in stabilizing institutional behavior and supporting successful post-incarceration reentry.
The department reported 986,337 in-person and video visits across its 24 state facilities, a four percent increase from 2023 and a substantial 377 percent rise from the pre-pandemic era in 2019. This surge aligns with the department’s comprehensive adoption of video visitation, which has significantly expanded access for families and friends wishing to maintain ties with incarcerated individuals.
“Video visitation continues to be a popular way for families and friends across the state and beyond to keep in touch with their incarcerated loved ones in Pennsylvania,” noted Dr. Laurel R. Harry, Secretary of Corrections. “At the same time, we’re seeing more in-person visitors to our facilities, setting a record for the total number of visits per inmate.”
Visits and Recidivism Reduction
The importance of maintaining family connections has long been recognized in corrections management. A recent analysis by the DOC highlighted that receiving visits—whether in-person or virtual—correlates with a reduction in recidivism. Notably, individuals who received video visits showed slightly better outcomes compared to those who participated in in-person visits.
The DOC offers state-sentenced inmates generous opportunities for visitation, with up to four in-person visits and six video visits permitted per month. Unlike other states that may charge fees for video visitation, Pennsylvania has made the service free of charge for both incarcerated individuals and their visitors. This policy reflects the state’s commitment to removing barriers to family engagement and fostering positive interactions that can lead to successful reintegration into society.
Meeting the Challenge of Access
The record-breaking figures from 2024 underscore a deliberate effort to broaden access to visitation opportunities. While in-person visits remain a vital connection for many families, the convenience of video visitation has been a game-changer, especially for loved ones who face geographic or financial hurdles in visiting correctional facilities.
This dual approach—maintaining robust in-person visitation programs while investing in accessible, no-cost video technology—ensures that individuals serving sentences in Pennsylvania can stay connected with their support networks. This connectivity is widely regarded as a stabilizing factor during incarceration and a critical component of lowering reentry barriers upon release.
Looking Ahead
The Pennsylvania DOC’s achievement in fostering family and community connections through historic levels of visitation signals a broader strategic focus on rehabilitation and recidivism reduction. These initiatives demonstrate the department’s prioritization of evidence-based practices that prepare incarcerated individuals for a successful return to their communities.
Looking ahead, sustained commitment to such programs, coupled with ongoing adaptation of technology, positions the DOC to build further on this success. By removing barriers to connection and emphasizing family ties, Pennsylvania’s corrections system is setting a forward-thinking example of modern rehabilitation practices aimed at creating safer and more stable communities.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.