Prison visits are back in the Gulf States. Many have not seen loved ones for nearly 2 years
When COVID-19 hit the Gulf States region in March 2020, state officials were swift to react in order to prevent the spread of the virus. One of those actions taken was to shut down in-person prison visitation, limiting the number of people who come in contact with the incarcerated population. For over a year, more than 70,000 people incarcerated in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were not able to visit with their loved ones, impacting both the prisoners and their family members.