With video visiting suspended since March 13th and no consistent public information concerning COVID-19 cases inside Louisville's Main Jail Complex, we call on LMDC to take three simple and humane actions for families with incarcerated loved ones:

1) Provide at least two (2) free phone calls per week to people inside the jail until video visiting is reinstated. The current cost of collect calls to cellular phones from the jail is $9.99 per 15-minute call, which includes a commission for LMDC. https://louisvilleky.gov/government/corrections/inmate-telephone-calls.

2) Post weekly information about the number of cases and health protocols for COVID-19 cases inside the Main Jail Complex.

3) Establish public guidelines for timing and conditions to reopen video visiting, or create a new alternative.

Parental incarceration can harm children's health and disproportionately impacts poor, Black and Brown children because of racial disparities in policing, Pretrial practices, and cash bail. Incarcerated people are at higher risk for COVID-19. Families deserve to receive timely information about health conditions inside the jail.  Visits and phone calls recognize the humanity of incarcerated people and their loved ones and are essential to maintaining emotional bonding that supports successful re-entry.