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DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation sponsored by Representative Regina English and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon on a preliminary vote that would create the right to visitation for Coloradans who are incarcerated.
“This bill is about treating incarcerated Coloradans as humans and making their re-entry into their communities more successful to reduce recidivism and improve safety across our state,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs. “From alleviating stress to fostering hope, human connection has proven to provide many benefits for incarcerated Coloradans and our communities. This legislation ensures that incarceration does not prevent Coloradans from accessing their support systems during some of the most traumatic times in their life.”
“Visitation is rehabilitation, and revoking visitation privileges should never be a tool to force justice-involved Coloradans to work or as a form of punishment,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “America abolished slavery in the 1800s, yet incarcerated Coloradans are being forced into labor just to be able to have a conversation with their friends and family. This bill ensures that Coloradans, regardless of whether or not they are incarcerated, have the right to access their loved ones.”
HB25-1013 would create the right to visitation for incarcerated Coloradans to ensure they can stay connected with their family, friends, and loved ones and be set up for success after they serve time and re-enter the community. Visitation includes in-person visits, family time visits, phone calls, and video calls.
A study found that visitation in prison results in a 26 percent decrease in post-release criminal activity as well as a 28 percent reduction in new convictions overall.