Great news everybody! We from PRISON CALL DEALS strongly support the fact that Federal Communications Commission wants to see new rules to limit fees that prisoners are charged for making phone calls and give them and their families the right to make affordable calls.
A year after issuing caps on rates for interstate calls, the agency announced a draft rule that would tackle high charges and fees for in-state calls.
Even though this is a market-based solution, it is still very reasonable to help all families that do have loved ones in prisons, to access phone service at rates that are fair and more affordable. Last year, the commission took action to rein in the high costs of interstate prison calls, which previously could cost more than 90 cents per minute in addition to a $3.95 connection fee.
Inmates make phone calls from their cell at a county jail in Santa Ana, Calif. (Reuters)
Even though very soon you will be able to talk to your loved ones without thinking about how much it is going to cost you, long-distance calls within the state could still mean unreasonably high telephone charges!
For instance, opening an account for an inmate in state prison or county jail can cost $9.50, and a minimum of $25 is required; but in order to deposit the minimum $25 into an inmate’s account costs an extra fee of $4.75.
We have already written about this issue and high costs are definitely unfair and make it harder for inmates to stay in touch with their families. This is a very serious social issue, because there are many consequences – high phone call prices means more stress on inmates and families, less communication, and less of a chance for successful reintegration into family and society upon release.
The new proposal, which we at PRISON CALL DEALS, strongly support, would impose permanent caps on calls both between and within states as well as other fees charged to inmates. And the best thing is that the additional, and hidden, charges for each call or connection would be banned!
In the meantime, check out the providers that help you save on such high phone bills – there’s no way to get around the huge telcos that charge , but there is a way for your to save, by using providers that give you local phone numbers, so if you’re paying long distance rates, you reduce the rate, and pay local.
You can also read more similar stories in our BUZZ section, and you can contribute to the discussion, by sending us your comments and contributions – YOUR VOICE!
