FCC Limits Prison Telephone Call Costs
Prison life is hard, and the condition is worsened by the fact that inmates are locked away from their loved ones. Apart from visits, phone calls are the only way they get to hear the voices of the ones they love. Hurray for prisoners now as the FCC has passed a ruling in their favor.
The commission recently ordered that telephone companies should limit the amount of money they charge prisoners and their families for making interstate phone calls. According to the acting chairperson of the FCC Mignon Clyburn, the commission recognizes the challenges that prisoners and their families face due to the exorbitant call rates charged by telephone companies. This means that families are often forced to choose between spending money on their daily needs and speaking to their family members in prison- often choosing the later.
Exorbitant Telephone Charges Keeping Prisoners From Communicating With Loved Ones
Mrs. Clyburn pointed out that keeping inmates from communicating with their loved ones could increase the risk of them committing new offenses in the future. The order was passed on a two to one vote by the member of the commission. It’s a relief that this has finally happened as civil rights lobby groups have been championing the issue of exorbitant prison phone rates for a decade now. It’s also a relief for Clyburn as the issue has been among her top agendas during her time as interim FCC chairperson.
A regular interstate call from prison is charged at about $4 as connection fee and can be charged as much as 90 cents per minute of talk time. This means that only 15 minutes of speaking with an inmate would cost his/her family $10 – $17. If this amount of money is added up through the month, it cost quite a lot of money just for inmates to stay in touch with their families. The commission has now decided that it will prevent prisoners from charging more than 21 cents a minute for calls except in times it describes as extraordinary circumstances. There are plans by the commission to also regulate the cost of prison phone calls within states in the future.
FCC PRESS RELEASE:
OFFICIAL URL: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reduces-high-long-distance-calling-rates-paid-inmates
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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 9, 2013
Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253
E-mail: Mark.Wigfield@fcc.gov
FCC BARS HIGH RATES FOR LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS IN JAILS AND
PRISONS NATIONWIDE
Reforms Bring Relief to Millions of Families By Reducing the Cost of Interstate Long-Distance Calls
Washington, D.C
. The Federal Communications Commission today took long-overdue steps to ensure
that the rates for interstate long-distance calls made by prison inmates are just, reasonable and fair.
Studies make clear that inmates who maintain contact with family and community while in prison have
reduced rate of recidivism and are more likely to become productive citizens upon their release. Lower
rates of recidivism also benefit society by reducing crime, the need for additional prisons, and other costs.
In addition, an estimated 2.7 million children would benefit from increased communication with an
incarcerated parent. Many of these children face challenges that are manifested in higher rates of truancy,
homelessness, depression and other ills
But the exorbitant price of interstate long-distance calls from correctional facilities today actually
discourages such communication because it is too expensive (over $17 for one 15-minute call),
particularly for families facing economic hardship. The Order takes immediate action to change this and
provide an affordable means to encourage such communication.
The Commission’s reforms adopt a simple and balanced approach that protects security and public safety
needs, ensures providers receive fair compensation while providing reasonable rates to consumers as
follows:
Requires that all interstate inmate calling rates, including ancillary charges, be based on the cost
of providing the inmate calling service
Provides immediate relief to exorbitant rates:
o Adopts an interim rate cap of $0.21 per minute for debit and pre-paid calls and $0.25 per
minute for collect calls, dramatically decreasing rates of over $17 for a 15-minute call to
no more than $3.75 or $3.15 a call
o Presumes that rates of $0.12 per minute for debit and prepaid calls ($1.80 for a 15-minute
call) and $0.14 cents per minute for collect calls ($2.10 for a 15-minute call) are just,
reasonable and cost-based (safe-harbor rates)
o These rates include the costs of modern security features such as advanced mechanisms
that block calls to victims, witnesses, prosecutors and other prohibited parties; biometric
caller verification; real-time recording systems; and monitoring to prevent evasion of
restrictions on call-forwarding or three-way calling
Concludes that “site commissions” payments from providers to correctional facilities may not be
included in any interstate rate or charge
Clarifies that inmates or their loved ones who use Telecommunications Relay Services because of
hearing and speech disabilities may not be charged higher rates
Requires a mandatory data collection, annual certification requirement, and enforcement
provisions to ensure compliance with this Order
Seeks comment on reforming rates and practices affecting calls within a state
Seeks comment on fostering competition to reduce rates
Building on state reforms, the Commission’s action addresses a petition filed nearly a decade ago by
Martha Wright, a Washington, D.C. grandmother who sought relief from exorbitant inmate calling rates.
Since then, tens of thousands have urged the FCC to make it possible for them to stay in touch with loved
ones in jail.
Action by the Commission August 9, 2013, by Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (FCC 13-113). Acting Chairwoman Clyburn and Commissioner Rosenworcel with
Commissioner Pai dissenting. Acting Chairwoman Clyburn, Commissioners Rosenworcel and Pai
issuing statements.
Staff contact: Lynne Engledow at 202-418-1520 or lynne.engledow@fcc.gov
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