Raised Bill No. 358, introduced to the Judiciary Committee, proposes amendments to section 18-81oo(b) of the general statutes, concerning telephone communications for incarcerated individuals. The bill, effective October 1, 2024, removes the previous provision that mandated voice communication services to be provided for at least ninety minutes per day. Instead, it stipulates that each person in custody shall be eligible for up to six uses of such service, with each use lasting up to fifteen minutes per day. This change is intended to clarify how time allotments for the use of voice communication services by incarcerated persons are calculated.

The bill also includes language that ensures these communication services, which may include video communication and electronic mail, are provided free of charge to the incarcerated individuals. Additionally, it allows the commissioner to restrict the number or length of these communications for any person on administrative segregation status, security risk group status, or special needs status, ensuring that the standard operations of the facility are not interfered with. The purpose of the bill is to provide clear guidelines on the availability and usage of communication services for those in correctional facilities.