CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Back in 2016, former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael cut off in-person visits for inmates, but the new sheriff is temporarily reinstating in-person visits between inmates and family members.

• Sheriff McFadden says studies show personal contact with family significantly reduces the chances of inmates committing another crime after their release
• Inmates at the Mecklenburg County jail are also being allowed two free, five-minute phone calls through New Year's Eve
• RELATED: Mecklenburg County Sheriff McFadden Says He's Doing His Own Thing Now

"We're currently doing video visitation to where the inmate does not leave their housing unit," said the jail’s Chief of Detention, Telisa White.

But family members say it’s often hard to see and communicate with inmates who are normally in a nosy housing pod during those calls.

"You can't see that well or hear that well on the monitors that well," said mother Kimberly Davis.

What ends up happening, in Davis’ opinion, is loved are mentally and emotionally separated from those inmates.

"It was like part of the outside world was taken away," Davis said.

We met her Saturday as she headed in to the jail to visit her 20-year-old son De’Asion Coleman who's been an inmate there for just over a year.

"It's been like I've been in prison with him the whole time," Davis said.

It’s seperation, she admits, may have gotten through to him. Coleman has been arrested multiple times.

"I think this really taught my son a lesson,” Davis said. “He's never been in this position, down here this long."

Sheriff Garry McFadden is confident another of his campaign promises will improve public safety.

"I know that was one of his biggest pushes," said Dep. White.

On a trial period through New Years Eve, the sheriff reinstated in-person visits between inmates and family members.

"The family's on one side of the glass, the inmate is on the other side, and they talk to the inmate on the phone," Dep. White explained.

Sheriff McFadden saying in a statement, studies show personal contact with family significantly reduces the chances of inmates committing another crime after their release.

"I think they feel a little sense of closeness when you doing face to face," Dep. White said.

Davis thinks it reminds them of what they've been missing. "He [De’Asion] has a 3-year-old that he really need to get out here and take care of," she said.

The sheriff's office is still working on a full policy dealing with in-person and online visits. There's no word from them on when it might go into effect.

Inmates at the Mecklenburg County jail are also being allowed two free, five-minute phone calls through New Year's Eve.