Families Sue Colorado Jail Over Two Decades of Video-Only Visits

Families with loved ones detained at the Adams County Jail have taken legal action, asserting that the facility’s prohibition of any in-person visitation infringes on constitutional family-association rights. The suit, which includes minors, is part of a wider movement targeting jails that rely solely on paid video calls. Experts explain that physical visits provide temporary relief from isolation, improve behavior, and lower recidivism, whereas video visits can be costly, glitchy, and lack privacy.

Moreover, the harsh security procedures surrounding in-person visits often deter families from coming. Nonetheless, researchers stress that when conducted well, video visitation can be a useful adjunct, but it should not be the only option available to inmates and their relatives.