Under new restrictions, the Chenango County Correctional Facility in Norwich is now allowing in-person visits of inmates. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – The Chenango County correctional facility has opened no-contact modified visits for inmates, giving families and loved ones the chance to see each other – some for the first time in months.

Under new guidelines, visitors can see inmates while adhering to CDC guidelines to maintain safety of everyone involved, said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting. The measure is just another baby step forward as New York State continues to ease restrictions.

“It's been three and a half or four months. For their welfare, they need to have more contact with their families,” Cutting said.

With the go-ahead from Public Health and the NYS Corrections Commissioner, the Chenango County Correctional Facility can now allow seven visits at a time within a supervised, non-contact room where visitors and inmates are separated by a glass partition. Visitors are subject to temperature checks and visitation areas are disinfected afterward for safety.