BILL NUMBER: S1942A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to providing voice
communication services to incarcerated individuals at no cost; and to
repeal section 623 of the correction law related thereto
 
PURPOSE::
To eliminate the cost of phone calls from people incarcerated state
facilities to family and friends living in the United States.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1 amends section 623 of the correction Law to remove sections
law that provided for the existing system of prepaid or collect calls
and clarifies that the department of corrections shall not accept or
receive any revenue for administering telephone services.
Section 2 provides the effective date
 
EXISTING LAW::
None.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
Most incarcerated New Yorkers have low low-incomes and are least able to
pay to keep in touch with their families, friends and clergy. The cost
of daily calls can be a strain on a family's finances. Families
shouldn't have to choose between paying their utility or food bill and
speaking to their loved one.
Telephone calls allow parents and guardians to keep in touch with their
children and help keep families intact after the incarcerated individual
is released. It can be a critical lifeline for families and the incar-
cerated person.
In 2019, New York City made phone calls from its jails free. In 2020, in
response to the COVID-19 crisis, DOCCS provided free calls for incarcer-
ated people for a limited amount of time. These advancements demonstrate
the practicality of this proposed legislation. Expanding the basic right
of communication for inmates in the rest of the state will better
prepare them for successful re-entry into their communities.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2021-22: S3512 - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
To be determined
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
Click here
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
Click here

Statutes affected:
S1942: 623 correction law
S1942A: 623 correction law