Advocates Urge FCC to Mandate Free Inmate Calling During Pandemic
Advocates want the FCC to use emergency authority to mandate free inmate calling service phone calls and videos, for at least 60 days, they said in a petition to the agency. COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and suspended visits make access to ICS more important, they told us. ICS providers said they're responding to inmates' needs.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
"The impact on families is catastrophic," said Worth Rises Executive Director Bianca Tylek. "There is a tremendous amount of fear among families that their loved ones inside are going to die." Contagious disease spreads quickly in tight spaces, experts say. MediaJustice Campaign Strategies Director Myaisha Hayes wants the FCC to act on the petition immediately. "We're already seeing cases of COVID-19 in prison," she said. "People have to know in real time how their loved ones are."
Advocates want ICS providers to take FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's Keep America Connected pledge (see 2003130025). United Church of Christ policy adviser Cheryl Leanza said it's outrageous that more than 500 telecom providers have stepped up but ICS companies haven't. ICS providers should sign the Keep America Connected pledge as a sign we're all in this together, said former FCC acting Chair Mignon Clyburn. The FCC didn't comment Monday.
“Coronavirus is a nationwide crisis that is affecting families everywhere, including families of those that are incarcerated," Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel emailed. "With visitation being shut down or curtailed, the high cost of prison phone rates is especially cruel right now. The FCC needs to step up to help those families keep in touch with their loved ones. The FCC and its state and local partners across the country can help provide access to these vital services at free or reduced rates for families.”
Those incarcerated also want to be able to monitor well-being of their loved ones on the outside, said Hayes. "The cost of a phone call shouldn't be a barrier." She said families' need to communicate has long been exploited because most ICS providers have a monopoly in each facility, "so there's no incentive to do better."
"Prison communications is a fairly predatory business," said MediaJustice Executive Director Steven Renderos. "Folks are paying a premium to stay in touch." He said ICS contracts often give corrections agencies up to 50%-60% of the cost of the call. Inflating call costs is "a tool to generate revenues" for cities and states, he said. The industry has received scrutiny (see 2003270061).
Depending on which company has the contract, how it's negotiated and whether local jurisdictions have laws for ICS, costs can go up to $25 for 15 minutes, Tylek said. Worth Rises signed on to the petition and is directing its own petitions to governors, mayors and sheriffs, who can make prison phone calls free. "We're even sending letters to the companies," she said. Others have similar petitions. Some providers offered what Tylek called "slight things" in response to the pandemic, such as one or two free five-minute calls weekly. She asked CEOs to consider whether it would be enough for them "if they had two calls a week when 177 million Americans are being asked to shelter in place." Video visits tend to be costlier than voice calls, said Renderos, but are "critically important" for hearing impaired prisoners.
Global Tel*Link "is working closely with our facility customers on a daily basis as they build customized solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," a spokesperson emailed. "We are providing calls and additional services for free to help incarcerated individuals maintain connections with their loved ones during this time and will continue to support our facility customers as they tackle this unprecedented situation."
Most correctional facilities have suspended in-person visitation, a Securus spokesperson emailed, "which risks making incarcerated individuals even more isolated. While facility environments, funding models and product availability vary by agency, Securus understands the importance of the human connection and is committed to making essential communications accessible." The company says it offers "free calls," enables no-cost or discounted video connections, and provides or payment credits "so families can send electronic messaging."
Securus said COVID-19 has affected the company's business. It's "navigating the balance between moral and financial responsibilities when making business decisions that will have a long-term impression for all of our stakeholders -- incarcerated individuals, family and friends, their governing community and our associates." ICS providers PayTel and ICSolutions didn't comment.