Inmates in Iowa prisons who’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to have in-person visitors, starting next month. Cord Overton, a spokesman for the agency, says nearly 59 percent of the inmates in Iowa prisons are fully vaccinated.

Inmates who are allowed to have visitors, but who have not agreed to get a Covid shot, will be able to continue using the video system for visitations. Prison visitors will not be required to show they’ve gotten a Covid shot.  Studies have found family visits reduced depression among female and juvenile inmates. In-person visits also were found to reduce rule-breaking within the prison AND reduced recidivism once an inmate was paroled.