FCC prepares to cut ‘exorbitantly’ high fees for prison calls – Washington Examiner
Prisoners and their families have long faced high costs for phone calls made from behind bars. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now taking steps to address these exorbitant rates, with plans to vote on reforms on July 18. According to a recent FCC report, this vote will seek to significantly reduce the costs of phone and video calls for incarcerated individuals. Currently, a 15-minute call can cost up to $11.35 or $12.10, depending on the prison’s size. The proposed changes would lower these rates to approximately 90 cents and $1.35 for larger and smaller prisons, respectively.
For years, prisoners and their families have been charged staggeringly high rates for phone calls behind bars. Now, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking reform as early as July 18.
In a report released Wednesday by the FCC, the organization revealed it will soon “vote to end exorbitant phone video call rates that have burdened incarcerated people and their families for decades.”
Traditionally, a 15-minute conversation from within the walls of a large prison would cost the caller $11.35, or $12.10 if the call was made from a prison with less than 1,000 people. New regulations could drop these prices down to as low as 90 cents for larger prisons and $1.35 for smaller.
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“Our communities benefit from incarcerated people staying connected to their loved ones,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. “Everyone deserves communications with just and reasonable rates and practices.”
The FCC had previously instituted price caps on out-of-state prison calls, but could never lower the rates within states. In 2015, they tried to impose an in-state cap, but were sued by the telephone companies. Eventually, this suit made its way to a federal court who gave the FCC authority to regulate in-state calls.
In 2022, Congress passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act. Once ratified, the act “empowered the FCC to close the final loopholes in the communication system” and impose federal regulations on all prison phone prices. It was named after Martha Wright-Reed, who, unable to afford to talk with her incarcerated grandson, sued a private jail in 2000.
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With this new act, updated rules are required from the FCC. This prospective vote will be the first serious move beyond simply pledging to shift the high-priced status quo. They plan to move beyond audio and implement caps on video call rates as well, including video visitation.
The Commission will convene for a vote on July 18, 2024, and a draft of their proposal will be available June 27th on the FCC website.
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