In the United States, more and more prisons and pretrial detention centers are giving up charges for prisoners' phone calls. A new report by the nonprofit organization Worth Rises found that this reform has produced noticeable results for both families and the facilities themselves.
The study covered six state prison systems, including California and New York, the federal system, and more than a dozen county jails. After the move to direct contracts with telecommunications companies, communication costs fell by 62% in prisons and by 68% in county facilities. As a result, prisoners and their relatives saved more than $622 million.
Ending the fees sharply increased the amount of communication. Average daily call time in prisons rose from 25 to 45 minutes per person, and in county jails from 27 to nearly 57 minutes. The content of conversations also changed. When every minute cost money, families used calls only for the most urgent matters: financial problems, emergencies, or important news. After the fees were removed, conversations began to include everyday life — children, work, future plans, and finding housing after release.
Today, free calls, video calls, or messaging are available to about 330,000 incarcerated people — around 15% of all prisoners in the country. Researchers note that regular contact with family helps people adjust more successfully after release, find housing and work, and reduces the risk of returning to prison. Staff at correctional facilities also reported less tension and improved safety for both prisoners and personnel.
