Bill to Protect In-Person Prison and Jail Visits Passes State Legislature

(June 2, 2026, New York, NY) – Both the New York State Senate and Assembly passed Protect In-Person Visits (S.5037A Sepúlveda /A.4603A Weprin), landmark legislation that would codify in state law a standard of in-person visits at correctional facilities. The passage comes amid heightened concerns about visiting conditions and programs inside New York correctional facilities following corrections officers’ unauthorized work stoppage last year.

The legislation also ensures visiting is accessible to working families and school-age children, and prevents facilities from replacing in-person visits with video conferencing. The legislation comes after years of advocacy by the Osborne Association’s Youth Action Council, who have argued that family contact is essential to the well-being of children, stronger family relationships, and successful reentry.

“For nearly a decade, we have been telling lawmakers something simple: visiting a loved one in prison is not a privilege, it is a lifeline,” said a member of the Osborne Association’s Youth Action Council. “With this legislation, we will no longer have to be scared that we will not be able to be with our parents in person. We urge the Governor to sign it into law, so that children will no longer worry that their next visit will be their last.”

During the 2025 unauthorized correction officer prison work stoppage, families across the state experienced widespread disruptions to visiting, leaving many children and loved ones unable to see incarcerated family members for extended periods. Additionally, a January 2026 report by Senate Corrections Committee Chair Julia Salazar documented severe conditions and quality-of-life concerns inside New York prisons, underscoring the importance of preserving family connections amid instability. 

Proponents of the legislation also pointed to the alarming rise across the country in correctional facilities’ use of fee-based video conferencing in limiting and even replacing in-person visits. They noted that though video visits are important supplements to in-person visits, video calls cannot compensate for the value of in-person connection.

The legislative passage of the Protect In-Person Visits Act is the culmination of a years-long campaign by Osborne’s Youth Action Council, which is comprised of young people with incarcerated parents and loved ones. They have shared personal stories, met with lawmakers, organized public events, and educated communities about the importance of family connection. They most recently joined lawmakers for a Million Dollar Staircase Rally and met with Assembly Speaker Heastie in May 2026.

The legislation, sponsored by Senator Sepúlveda and Assemblymember Weprin, has passed the Senate six times (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and the Assembly once (2017), though never concurrently. 

Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, “In the Bronx communities I represent, too many families know the pain and strain that incarceration places on loved ones. Maintaining meaningful, face-to-face connections is essential not only for families, but also for rehabilitation and successful reentry. The Protect In-Person Visits bill S5037, which I lead in the Senate, is an important step toward ensuring fair and accessible in-person visiting, with reasonable hours, adequate visit time, and policies that recognize the distance many families must travel to see their loved ones. Protecting the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals is a moral and social responsibility that we cannot ignore. This bill recognizes the fundamental value of human contact in the rehabilitation process and is a necessary step toward a more humane, just, and equitable system for all.”

Assemblymember David Weprin said, “Family connection is a proven cornerstone of rehabilitation. This legislation establishes the right to in-person visiting for incarcerated individuals, ensuring that critical relationships with children, parents, and loved ones are maintained. In-person visits are a lifeline for incarcerated individuals and their families and will ultimately strengthen rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and help ensure that individuals returning home have the community support they need to succeed. I am proud to see this legislation pass both the Assembly and the Senate, and I urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law to ensure that human connection and compassion remain at the heart of our correctional system.”
 

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