I am lobbying to have visiting policies in remand centers across BC changed so that remand inmates can recieve contact visits with family and friends! As it stands right now the only visits remand inmates are provided are through glass on a telephone! Our federally charged inmates recieve contact visits (congical,open and family). I believe that if we are able to provide federal inmates with open visits, then we should be able to provide ALL inmates the same privilege. Remand inmates are inmates who have been charged with a crime, but have NOT been convicted and are awiting trial. Some of these inmates can wait years before the have "their day in court", but while waiting do not have the oppertunity to have any type of physical contact with people who love and care about them. I believe this is more than cruel and unusual punishment, and this "No Contact" policy needs to be abolished ASAP! We live in Canada, where people are innocent until proven guilty, but this does not seem to apply to this situation! Please help me try and make a change! Its amazing what a simple hug can do............