ANOTHER STATE PRISON SYSTEM MAKES ALL INMATE CALLS FREE

In addition to the states of California, Colorado and Connecticut, the State of Minnesota passed legislation earlier this year which guarantees that all telephone calls from prisoners, both in jails and prisons, are free of charge as of July 1, 2023.

According to an article published in the November, 2023 issue of Prison Legal News, numerous studies have shown that when incarcerated individuals are released, their chances to succeed are increased, and the chances of reincarceration are reduced if prisoners maintain strong family bonds while inside. PLN notes that state and local economies also benefit in that instead of spending money on exorbitantly priced telephone calls [with that money then being sent to out-of-state corporations], the freed up funds can be spent on goods and services from local businesses.

Because Idaho has such a geographically diverse population, with family and prisoners separated by hundreds of miles even within the state, telephones are a virtual lifeline for these people. With the video "visitation" system currently operating in the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) less than efficiently, surcharges of more than 25% on every franked (stamped) envelope sold via the commissary, an aging population unable to navigate the computer hoops needed to jump through to set up both in-person and computer video visits and accounts (which are also ridiculously expensive), and no IDOC requirements to place prisoners in facilities near their family, the need for telephone calls is ever-growing.

So why would Idaho Legislators balk at such an option for free calls for Gem state prisoners? Currently, the IDOC is receiving kick-backs from telecommunications and third-party corporations (such as JPay and Securus) for every inmate call made (and email/photo sent) to the tune of millions of dollars per year [FN1].

Most county jails in Idaho also have these kick-back agreements with vendors such as Securus, ViaPath Technologies (formerly Global Tel*Link), and Inmate Calling Solutions (ICS). Generally, the vendors contract with the agency, agreeing to give a percentage of each call made back to the county/state, then charging ridiculous prices for each call, or for each minute of a call. The vendor makes millions off the backs of prisoners (or more accurately, their families/friends), and the state/counties suck up all the residuals.

Although the price for a outgoing telephone call throughout Idaho prison facilities has remained relatively low for several years (compared to other states and the 44 county jails in Idaho), the cost of the calls is simply not justified by the cost to the state or vendor, even when factoring in costs of equipment, recording/storage media and other behind the scenes considerations. This is especially true where the IDOC/vendor does not provide free [electronic] tablets.

In Twin Falls County Idaho, jailed prisoners there have access to more than 85 electronic tablets supplied by Telmate, LLC, who also provides the county detention center with charging stations - at no cost. Prisoners are also provided a free headset (with microphone) for use with tablets, which can be used to place outbound telephone calls. The cost of a call there is however much higher than IDOC's [FN2].

This technology is also available to Jefferson County prisoners, where prisoners can make not only outbound telephone calls from the county-issued tablets, people on the streets can initiate an inbound call to the prisoners' tablets - including video. Ironically, IDOC prisoners assigned to the St. Anthony Work Center who become security concerns, or need disciplinary placement are placed in the Jefferson County jail, and are allowed access to these tablets and their features.

At the ISCC, there is an average of 22 prisoners per each wall-mounted telephone, resulting in long lines, delays, inability to schedule calls and in some cases, fights, threats, extortion and other such problems. Further, the noise level (and language used by nearby prisoners) often detracts from the quality of the call - especially when one of the parties on the call are elderly, hard of hearing, or a child.

According to Amendment 14 of the contract between the IDOC and the service provider (originally, CenturyLink who then hired on subcontractors/vendors before themselves slipping out of the agreement), the contract signed by IDOC Director Josh Tewalt will expire on June 30, 2024. When the contract for the Inmate Communications comes up for renewal in 2024, there has to be a change in how the system within the IDOC is being operated. Free calls would be a start, and if reports are true, this would help lower recidivism, strengthen family relationships and instilling self-worth to those prisoners coming soon to your neighborhood - a goal set by Director Tewalt several years ago.

Let's help the IDOC leap into the '90's - technologically speaking that is. Take a moment to email a copy or link of this post to your state Legislator (Representative and Senator) so when they come into session next month, they will at least have an idea on how to reach into the future - or at least they will have a sign pointing the way.


[FN1] Source: Concession Services Agreement for Inmate Communication and Kiosk-Based Technology Access (CO-14-017).

[FN2] Source: Fourth Amendment to Inmate Telecommunication Location Agreement between Telmate, LLC and Twin Falls County.

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