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Table 6 Social communication and connection policies

From: Policy and public communication methods among U.S. state prisons during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Policy Description

Frequency

Policy Type

Policy Form

Who Policy Primarily Affects

N

%

DOC-specific

Public health

Expand access

Reduce access

Resident

Staff

System

In-person visitation is suspended

50

100%

X

  

X

X

  

Free phone calls

45

90%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Free video calls

29

58%

X

 

X

 

X

  

In-person visitation is restricted

14

28%

X

  

X

X

  

Video calls other (e.g., made available if not previously provided)

10

20%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Phone calls other

6

12%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Reduced fee video calls

5

10%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Reduced fee phone calls

4

8%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Longer or more phone calls

3

6%

X

 

X

 

X

  

Longer or more video calls

2

4%

X

 

X

 

X

  

% of policies monitored of total in category

  

100%

0%

80%

20%

100%

0%

0%