Who profits from the billion-dollar prison phone business?

September 30, 2015

The debate over prison communication intensifies between US, sheriffs, and the FCC

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Who profits from the billion-dollar prison phone business?

TThe chance for inmates to touch their loved ones has vanished at jails that have entered into contracts with companies such as Securus Technologies, a Dallas firm that now handles all inmate-visitor communication, whether it's a $10 phone call or a $8 video chat. The prison phone industry is big business, raking in $1.2 billion a year in revenues. Now, the FCC is planning to step in and draw limits regarding commissions and cap fees. Lori Jane Gliha examines who profits from prison phones and whether cracking down on phone call profiteering would result in adverse consequences for inmates.


 

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