In the near future, I plan to reintroduce SB 994 from last session, legislation that would require state prisons and county jails to provide voice and video communication services free of charge to incarcerated persons initiating or receiving communications.

Phone services in prisons and jails are currently operated by for-profit companies that pay commission to the county, with the amount of commission dependent on the rate set by counties. While these funds are supposed to be allocated for inmate benefit, they are often directed exclusively toward the benefit of facility employees and sheriff’s departments.

Last July, the Federal Communications Commission took an important step in combatting exorbitant communications costs for incarcerated people by voting to cap the price per minute of phone and video calls based on the level and size of the correctional facility. While this is a step in the right direction, the cost of communication from a prison or jail can still financially strain the incarcerated person or their loved ones. Incarcerated people are often forgotten about and are some of our most vulnerable, this is why I believe that we should take action to allow them to communicate with those outside of the prison or jail unburdened by cost.

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that will provide much-needed reform to a critical facet of the criminal justice system here in Pennsylvania.