In-person and remote video visitation and reentry outcomes among those released during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives

Prison visitation has been linked to positive aspects of reentry, including employment and desistance. However, few studies have examined how remote video visitation is related to these outcomes. Furthermore, changes to visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity to study how visitation relates to reentry.

Methods

Using administrative data from 2000 individuals released from Minnesota state prisons in 2021 after being incarcerated at least one year, this study tests whether in-person and video visitation during the final year of incarceration are associated with reentry outcomes such as recidivism and employment. Multi-group propensity score methods were used to reduce observable selection bias between those receiving different types of visits.

Results

The number of in-person and video visits received during the final year of incarceration were negatively related to two measures of recidivism (reconviction and reincarceration for a new felony). In-person visitation was also associated with lower rearrest and better employment outcomes.

Conclusions

Corrections agencies should continue to facilitate and encourage visits with friends and family, both in-person and virtually. Remote video visits are a useful supplement for in-person visits, especially when there are operational limits to in-person visitation.