FCC lowers prison phone calls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to drastically reduce phone and video call rates for incarcerated individuals, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on their families. Effective next year, the new regulations will cap rates as low as 5 to 12 cents per minute for calls, with 15-minute calls dropping from over $11 to just 90 cents in large jails. This move is expected to save families approximately $790 million annually and addresses long-standing concerns regarding the exploitation of low-income families by the correctional telecommunications industry. Advocates for reform, including Bianca Tyreke of Worth Rises, highlight that this change will improve inmates' access to support, aiding their reintegration into society. The FCC's decision is a response to years of activism and aims to eliminate additional fees and commissions that have historically inflated communication costs for inmates. As the telecommunications industry adjusts to these rules, companies like Securus and ViaPath, which dominate the market, may face significant revenue losses.