The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a significant decision today to lower the price caps on prison phone calls and close a loophole that allowed prison telecoms to charge high rates for intrastate calls. This move is aimed at reducing the financial burden on incarcerated individuals and their families who have been subjected to exorbitant rates for phone calls for many years.
Under the new rules, the cost of a 15-minute phone call will be reduced to $0.90 for large jails and $1.35 for small jails. This is a significant decrease from the previous rates, which could go as high as $11.35 and $12.10, respectively. The FCC’s decision will impact a large number of incarcerated individuals, estimated to be around 1.4 million, and will save families approximately $500 million annually.
This latest ruling by the FCC is particularly noteworthy as it now gives the commission the authority to regulate intrastate prison phone prices. Previously, the FCC could only set price caps on interstate calls, but a 2017 court ruling prevented them from doing the same for intrastate calls. However, with the passing of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act in 2023, the FCC now has the power to close these remaining loopholes in the system.
The new law has removed the limitations on the FCC’s ability to regulate rates for intrastate calls and video communications, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to setting just and reasonable rates for all types of calls. With more than half of prison audio call traffic being intrastate, this change will have a significant impact on the overall cost of phone calls for incarcerated individuals and their families.
Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the challenges that the FCC has faced in trying to lower prison phone rates, especially when it came to intrastate calls. Despite previous setbacks in the courts, the FCC has persevered in its efforts to make communication more affordable for incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.
Moving forward, the FCC will implement a uniform set of price caps ranging from $0.06 to $0.12 per minute for both interstate and intrastate calls. This standardized approach will ensure that all prison phone calls are subject to reasonable and fair pricing, alleviating some of the financial burdens that incarcerated individuals and their families have been facing.
Overall, the FCC’s decision to lower prison phone rates and close loopholes in the system marks a significant step towards ensuring that communication remains accessible and affordable for all, regardless of their circumstances. This move will not only benefit incarcerated individuals but also their families who have been struggling with the high costs of staying in touch.
