Facing Rates Of $17 For 15 Minutes, FCC Takes Up Regulation Of Prison Phone Industry

By Nicole Flatow on Nov 19, 2012 at 10:30 am

Phone calls between prisoners and their families can cost as much as $17 for a 15-minute call, reaping generous profits in many states for both the phone companies that provide the service and the states, which receive what amount to legalized kickbacks. Recognizing the drastic obstacle these costs impose on children staying in touch with their parents, a bipartisan coalition launched a campaign this past Mother’s Day calling for regulation of this industry. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission entertained these calls, announcing at a rally that it would seek public comment on prison phone rules and rates. In a scathing September report, the Prison Policy Initiative’s Drew Kukorowski explains why the industry needs regulating:

via Facing Rates Of $17 For 15 Minutes, FCC Takes Up Regulation Of Prison Phone Industry | ThinkProgress.