Imprisonment impacts lives beyond the prisoner. When an inmate is sent to prison they are removed from their role(s) as a parent and/or spouse creating a void in the family. Therefore they are not the only ones being affected, family and intimate relationships also bare the consequence. Maintaining relationships with others in the real world is difficult, even more while in prison. Phone calls, letters, and regular visits only help to a certain degree causing only half of all parents incarcerated to maintain contact with their children. This drops with a longer sentence. Long sentences are also straining on intimate relationships causing high divorce rate. An incarcerated individual is already being punished by a prison sentence, children and family members should not be punished as well.

Prison is an artificial environment. Its set up influences in prison experience and though individuals learn to navigate them to succeed the environment is very different than the real world. So creating an environment where the incarcerated individual can continue to hold their role will help in many ways. It will make prison safer by reducing violence. It will create a healthy lifestyle, reduce divorce rate and it will help the incarcerated individual transition back to society smoother, reducing the recidivism rate. This created environment is called an Extended Family Visit, in the State where a form of these visits are allowed inmates must be on their best behavior before they can get this privilege, extended family visits affect every choice an inmate makes leading up to the visit. Therefore creating a safe living environment for the prison population, a safe working environment for staff, and a safe environment for generations to come. Extended Family Visits have a serious impact on mental health. Having the opportunity to spend a max of 48 hours with a loved one helps improve not only an inmate’s mental health but also their children and loved ones as they are able to spend « real » quality time together where an environment is not so restricted. A family continues to be a family… These visits will still take place at the facility in a cabin or trailer that are dedicated to the extended family visits. 

With this petition we are hoping to allow families to stay connected both emotionally and physically. So please support this petition by signing it and continuing to share it. Colorado can be one of only five states in the Nation to allow some form of extended family visits. So please let’s keep families together. 
**Just because you are not from Colorado doesn't mean you can't sign it, you can ! We have a voice because it affects our loved ones incarcerated**