Assemblyman Christopher Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to suspend or greatly restrict visitation to state prisons to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the state many counties have taken measures to limit visitation to protect inmates and staff from the spread of COVID-19, yet the state has not taken a similar action.

“I am growing concerned that the state has not taken appropriate measures to protect inmates, correction officers and other prison personnel from COVID-19. I strongly urge the governor to take this next action to suspend or greatly limit visitation to prevent the virus from being introduced to our prison population,” said Friend. “We have a responsibility to protect the health of each individual in our correctional facilities and, by extension, the families of the workers and the wider community as a whole. We cannot wait any longer.”