U.S.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted Thursday to further reduce the cost of jail and prison phone calls which immediately prompted phone companies to threaten legal action.
Mignon Clyburn, a Democratic FCC commissioner who voted in favor of the additional cuts, said the cost of the calls have placed "incredible burdens" on the family members of the more than 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S.
The new changes will take effect in prisons early next year and in jails by midyear.
Two years ago, the FCC voted to restrict rates on inmate calls made from one state to another. The new changes go further, capping rates on all local, in-state long distance, interstate and international calls. The vast majority of inmate calls will cost no more than $1.65 for 15 minutes, although slightly higher rates will be allowed in some smaller institutions. And fees and other costs, which in some cases have boosted calls to $17 to $25 for 15 minutes, also would be limited.
Over the years, defense attorneys also have joined in the fight for lower rates. But phone companies have defended the costs, saying some of the money generated is used for activities for the incarcerated and that the calls require costly security features. The FCC has countered that the cost of security features was built into the rate structure.
Securus Technologies Inc. CEO Richard Smith said in a written statement that the FCC's decision is a "colossal error" that threatens the financial stability of his company and other inmate phone providers. He said Securus, one of the largest providers of inmate phone services, would join other companies in a request for court intervention. Securus, and Global Tel Link, are currently in a pending legal battle with the FCC regarding the 2013 regulations.
Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, both Republicans, dissented, saying they believed they didn't have the authority to take such action.
The changes don't ban profit-sharing commissions that have benefited jail and prison operators and in some cases made calls costlier, although the amount of money coming in will likely be lower.
The Associated Press
Often the only lifeline to the outside world, phone calls are more expensive than most inmates can pay
Proponents say tech devices can help reduce recidivism, but contracts and pricing disenfranchise poor
Unlike consumer debit cards, prison-issued cards are unregulated and subject to exorbitant fees
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