From sentencing alternatives for parents like those in Washington State to a residential program in Brooklyn, criminal justice officials are finding new and cost-effective ways for people to serve time while staying connected to their children.

Despite the importance of family support for successful reentry into communities, some states are imposing charges that make it more difficult for loved ones to sustain communication with incarcerated people.

A dynamic group of advisers to Vera's Family Justice Program put their heads together yesterday at our New York office.

Vera's Family Justice Program has published a new guide for corrections, "Why Ask About Family?"

A new five-minute video shows how one department of corrections helps identify people's social supports with the goal of improving outcomes at facilities and in the community.

An article by Vera's Ryan Shanahan describes the development and pilot of a tool the Family Justice Program is using in juvenile justice facilities.

Ryan Shanahan and Annie Salsich have recently contributed to the blog of Reclaiming Futures, a project based in Portland, Oregon, that "helps young people in trouble with drugs, alcohol, and crime."

Imagine sending e-mail to a loved one in prison, or taking a virtual tour of the facility online. Corrections departments in Michigan and California are among a growing number of states that are using technology to help families stay connected.

Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking at a Fatherhood Town Hall hosted by Morehouse College, emphasized the importance of family connections in helping people transition home from prison.

It was reassuring to read a recent New York Times editorial criticizing the New York State Court of Appeals’ decision against refunding family members for the high cost of collect calls from loved ones in prison.