Clyburn on HBO Criticizes Correctional Facilities' Forced Video Visitation Policies
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn voiced concern on HBO about video visitation policies of correctional facilities that have ended in-person visits to inmates. Appearing on Vice News Tonight in a YouTube clip circulated by her office, Clyburn criticized inmate calling service…
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charges as "the most glaring case of market failure I have ever seen in my 18 years as a regulator." She said most communications users have a choice of providers, but inmates and families “are literally captive," including to video visitation policies using Skype-like connections. "More than 70 percent of local facilities that have instituted this model, they no longer have or allow in-person visit," she said in the segment, which cited over 600 facilities in 46 states as using video visitation. A sheriff defended video visitation as improving prison security and saving staff time. Asked why other people should care, Clyburn said, “You are paying, every month, every year to keep this model that is broken, intact. You don’t think it affects you but that child who acts out, that might escalate. That person who comes home, they might act out if they don’t adjust.”