Visitation restrictions will feel different for Sharonda Perry, who has been visiting her son for 4 ½ years in juvenile hall.
A new state law effective January 1st, 2027, The Hug Act, officially referred to as Assembly Bill 1646, allows youth held in detention centers a chance to touch their loved ones during visitation hours. The bill, signed by Gov. Newsom, was inspired by 32 young adults at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, including some currently incarcerated there.
Dozens of adults, youth, mothers and advocates attended Tuesday’s L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting to support the new visitation guidelines for the county’s juvenile system.
“It’s not a question if these youth are going to be released, they will be released. Studies show that mothers are a vital role model and vital stability for our youth,” Fifth District County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.
John Gomez, recently released from a detention center, shared what that small moment, a hug, means, and how much many youth look forward to visitation hours.
“We don’t really look forward to many things,” Gomez said. “Being able to hug our loved ones right when we see them and when we leave – I think it speaks very much.”
Isabella Sullivan, a mother who once was incarcerated, shared similar emotions about her children’s visits.
“There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that comes with loving someone you cannot reach, especially when that someone is your child,” she said, through tears. “Maybe the case file reduces them to a number, a charge, or the worst decision they ever made, but the mother doesn’t see the case file.”
Sharonda Perry said she doesn’t see her son as just a number, but as a human who also needs love and affection. “It made me feel less of a mother,” Perry said. She continued by explaining the tough times a mother endures being unable to hug the child she brought into the world.
Love, affection and comfort are the simplest things many juveniles locked in detention centers ask for, but with The Hug Act, these youth have to ask no longer.
Edited by JohVonne Roberts and Andriana Yatsyshyn