Union Position on Visitation Bill: Limited Contact and Stronger Monitoring

Many of you have raised serious concerns about Assembly Bill 1646 (Bryan), which would expand physical contact during visitation in juvenile facilities. We share those concerns, particularly when it comes to the risk of narcotics and other contraband entering our halls.

The political reality is that this bill has strong support and is very likely to reach the governor’s desk. As reported in today’s Daily News article (click here to read), the Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 to support the legislation. In this environment, taking a position that appears to oppose any family contact could easily be portrayed as probation officers being against youth seeing or touching their families, which is not who we are and not the message we want to send.

Our position is straightforward and responsible: We support limited family contact, specifically allowing a brief embrace at the beginning and end of visits, while opposing extended physical contact and hand holding that creates greater opportunities for contraband transfer.

At the same time, we are making it clear that if contact is expanded, the department must ensure that visits are closely and consistently monitored. With a 28 percent vacancy rate among sworn staff, the operational reality inside the juvenile facilities cannot be ignored.

Our goal is to protect both family connection and facility safety. If the law changes, the department must provide the staffing, supervision, and accountability necessary to prevent drugs and other contraband from entering juveniile facilities.

We will continue to advocate for policies that keep both our officers and the youth in our care safe.