Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
The FCC on Thursday voted to lower the cost of phone and video call rates for incarcerated people.
Why it matters: Research shows that keeping incarcerated people connected with their families reduces recidivism and deters conflict within facilities, and advocates have been pushing for this move for decades.
Driving the news: All commissioners except for the top Republican Brendan Carr fully voted in favor of the rules, which implement the Martha Wright-Reed Act of 2022. Carr approved and concurred in part.
- Calling rates will be reduced by more than half and ancillary fees are now prohibited.
- Calls within a state and across state borders are covered, and video call rates are set for the first time under the rules.
- Commissioners also voted to seek comment on additional overhauls — including establishing permanent rate caps for video and examining issues such as dropped calls or frozen video screens — for incarcerated people's communications services.
Former FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, who laid the groundwork for capping prison call rates during her tenure, said she has "no doubt" the FCC will promptly act to make video rates permanent and ensure quality of service.
- "Today marks a major milestone on the long road to right a market dysfunction that has wronged incarcerated persons and their loved ones for decades," said Clyburn, who attended the meeting.
Commissioner Geoffrey Starks highlighted a new complaint pathway for whistleblowers to report suspected violations that his office worked on with Chair Jessica Rosenworcel.
Commissioner Carr negotiated some changes with Rosenworcel, including extending the transition deadline to help companies renegotiate their contracts.
- Carr also managed to include a comment period to examine ways companies and correctional facilities can recoup costs.
Winners: A slew of civil rights and advocacy groups lauded the vote, including National Consumer Law Center, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Free Press and the Prison Policy Initiative.
- Worth Rises executive director Bianca Tylek pointed to families around the country that "have struggled to afford to stay connected to their incarcerated loved ones. Too many have gone into debt just to keep in touch or been cut off entirely."
Losers: The caps will impact companies like Securus, Global Tel Link and TKC Holdings, which dominate the industry.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who sponsored the Martha Wright-Reed Act, said: "I'm proud to have led the charge to enact this bipartisan law and I look forward to seeing it bring families closer, reduce recidivism rates and make our communities stronger."
