On February 19, 2014, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) lowered the rate that individuals incarcerated in BOP facilities pay for their direct long distance calls. This change is in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling in August 2013, which set guidelines to reduce the cost of interstate phone calls made by individuals incarcerated in prisons.
Phone contact allows individuals to maintain their relationships with their children, family, and friends. Studies show that these relationships are important to an individual’s reentry success, and also have positive implications for the communities to which they return and the children of incarcerated parents. Lower phone rates may help these children stay in contact with their parents and reduce the risk of these challenges. To view the new rate, click here. To learn more about the FCC ruling, click here.
s one of the first points of contact in the criminal justice system, sheriff’s offices and their correctional facilities are key players in addressing the immediate needs of families impacted by incarceration and promoting family connections. For jails to meet the needs of families in the community, coordinating across county lines and learning from peers are essential. However, jail systems are often siloed, and collaboration between jails in different counties is rare. In Minnesota, the state department of health stepped in to address this gap.
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