New Prison Phone Rate Caps Take Effect

The Federal Communications Commission’s​ (FCC) long-awaited cap on interstate prison phone rates took effect on February 11. 

After more than a decade of advocacy by civil rights organizations and affected individuals, the FCC voted last year to reform predatory prison phone rates. Under the new rule, interstate collect calls are capped at 25 cents-per-minute and pre-paid or debit card calls at 21 cents-per-minute, with the total charge for a 15-minute call capped at $3.75 and $3.15, respectively. The FCC also banned prison phone-service providers from charging extra fees to connect a call or use a calling card. In the past, an hour-long call could cost as much as $60.

“This important policy reform will benefit millions of families that must choose between staying in touch with loved ones and putting food on the table,” Henderson said in a statement issued on the day of the vote​.

For additional information and resources, go to http://www.uccmediajustice.org/.