Video visitation should be an option, but not the only option.

With technology moving along as quickly as it does, there is a lot of chatter in the media these days about the prospect of many facilities switching to video visits as the only means of visitation available to the families of the inmates held in these facilities. This cannot be allowed to become the norm for many reasons, the first among which is the level to which this would dehumanize the inmate. Part of the rehabilitation process is human interaction. Without it, those serving long sentences have little to no hope of reintegrating into the free world again as productive citizens. The better chance these people have at reintegration, the better chance they have of not adding to a fluctuating recidivism rate.

Beyond that, visitation in may ways is a beacon of light in an otherwise cold and dark existence. If the system extinguishes that light, morale and behavior will only suffer for it.

Remote video visitation should absolutely be an option for those families that are unable to travel the distance to visit their loved one while incarcerated, but it truly should not be the exclusive option for everyone.

Finally, from the financial perspective, the facilities stand to lose a significant amount of revenue from snacks and commissary generated by the families during their personal visits, not to mention the proceeds from photo opportunities.