Supported remote video visits for children with incarcerated parents in the United States

ABSTRACT The Enhanced Visits Model (EVM) provides support to families in the United States, including technology to connect remotely with incarcerated parents, funding for video visits, and visit coaching for adults to support relationship building with children. Such support is intended to decrease barriers to traditional visits but not replace in-person visiting. The EVM is important for parents who are in local jails, rather than prisons, since jails typically incarcerate people for less time than prisons and lack programs that often exist in prisons. This paper focuses on development of the EVM and initial results of a feasibility and acceptability study. Although some challenges exist regarding engagement of children’s caregivers and the quality of sound and visual images, families and professionals provided positive feedback about the intervention. During video visits, children interacted with their incarcerated parents in creative ways, including showing toys, playing games, singing, reading, and doing homework. Moreover, incarcerated parents were virtually present at key times, including children’s mealtimes, bedtimes, holidays, and daily routines. This paper provides evidence that remote video visits are enjoyed by families and incarcerated parents and supports the recommendation to supplement (but not replace) in-person contact with remote video visits for children and incarcerated parents.