The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented new regulations to cap the costs of phone and video calls for incarcerated individuals and their families. These measures follow a vote by the FCC last Thursday.
Prior to these changes, jail inmates could be charged as much as $12.10 for a 15-minute phone call in smaller facilities, and $11.35 in larger institutions. Under the new guidelines, costs will be significantly reduced. The per-minute price caps will vary depending on the size of the facility: audio calls in larger jails and prisons are now limited to $0.06 per minute, while smaller facilities can charge up to $0.09 per minute. Video calls will be capped at $0.11 per minute in large jails and $0.14 per minute in smaller ones. More information about the FCC’s decision can be found here.
The newly introduced caps are a result of the recently enacted Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. This legislation amends the Communications Act of 1934, requiring the FCC to ensure fair and reasonable charges for telecommunication services in correctional and detention facilities.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel noted in a statement that the change was inspired by a petition filed by Martha Wright-Reed, which highlighted the financial burden placed on families of the incarcerated. Rosenworcel emphasized that regular communication helps reduce recidivism, a key consideration in making these amendments.
Commissioner Brendan Carr also voiced support for the cap but expressed concerns about potential overcorrection. In his statement, Carr stressed the importance of balancing affordability with incentives for service providers to continue investing in communication services for inmates.
For a more detailed overview, you can read the original article here.