Are visitors allowed to embrace inmates and hold their children during visits?

Visitors are allowed to embrace inmates and hold their children during visits. This practice is generally in place to maintain the familial bonds and human connections essential for the emotional well-being of both inmates and their families. Allowing physical affection such as embraces can promote a more supportive environment, which can be beneficial for inmates' rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Various facilities may have specific guidelines regarding how these interactions occur to ensure the safety and security considerations required in a correctional setting are met. However, the fundamental policy supports the idea of fostering connections between inmates and their loved ones, which is why this is an accepted practice in many correctional systems, including those within New York City's Department of Correction.