Maintaining Father–Child Relationships Using Video Visitation in Australian Prisons

Video visitation developed rapidly in Australian correctional centres when in-person visits stopped to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Using mixed methods, this report presents findings from the first multi-jurisdictional study exploring the experiences and impact of video visits between fathers in prison and their children. Findings show that there are significant benefits to video visitation for fathers, children and children’s carers, and corrective services. Benefits include visual access to the child’s world, more child-friendly visit experiences, improved convenience and reduced cost, and a reduction in contraband entering correctional centres. However, video visits are most beneficial as a complement, not alternative, to contact visits. There is now an opportunity to maintain positive momentum by supporting enhanced relationship quality via video visits between fathers, children and carers.