FCC announcements and corrections department updates

FCC Votes 5-0 to Cut Inmate Phone Call Rates by More Than Half

Jul 18, 2024, 03:45 PM

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted unanimously to cut rates for inmate phone calls by more than half. This decision, made on Thursday, affects approximately 2 million incarcerated individuals and their families across the United States. Historically, contracts for voice and video calls in prisons and jails were awarded to vendors that offered the highest kickbacks to corrections departments, resulting in exorbitant charges for inmates. The FCC's 5-0 vote aims to alleviate the financial burden on incarcerated persons and their families, who have faced hefty phone bills for years.