Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Entrance to the Rikers Island prison complex in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation Monday allowing inmates in its jails to make phone calls for free, making it the first major U.S. city to do so, reports the New York Times.
The details: The move is connected to a larger nationwide push by prison reform advocates to limit private companies from profiting off of those in the criminal justice system. The city has collected about $5 million per year from telephone calls made by incarcerated people and their families. The law goes into effect in 270 days.