Current Status by State

(AK) Alaska

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Securus Technologies

Local Collect

$0.00

IntraLATA Collect

$2.16

InterLATA Collect

$4.23

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Rates are based on miles and time of day. Calls above are low-end daytime rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(AL) Alabama

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Local Collect

$2.85

IntraLATA Collect

$2.85

InterLATA Collect

$5.25

InterState Collect

$14.15

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

In 2007, the Department of Corrections received $5.5 million in commissions for prisoner calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

In March 2008, the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) ruled that inmate phone service has NOT been deregulated. That means that service providers cannot arbitrarily raise rates for calls from the state’s prisons. The PSC argued that the Department of Corrections and local jails are providing a location for companies to do business, not using the service themselves. Prisons, therefore. are not customers, which would mean the PSC is allowed to regulate the companies. The PSC also argued that prison staff members do not use the systems for their own phone calls and noted that most people in other offices have other options besides collect calls, including cell phones.

(AR) Arkansas

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$4.80

IntraLATA Collect

$4.80

InterLATA Collect

$4.80

InterState Collect

$10.70

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes
On February 17, 2007, the Department of Corrections implemented a new contract that reduced commissions by 10% (from 55% to 45%) and reduced the cost of a 15-minute phone call by nearly $2. This change was the result of strong advocacy work on the part of Arkansas-CURE and others, as well as threatened legislation to eliminate commissions altogether.

(AZ) Arizona

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Local & IntraLATA= Qwest

Other = Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$1.84

IntraLATA Collect

$4.50

InterLATA Collect

$5.40

InterState Collect

$7.80

Local Debit

$1.60

IntraLATA Debit

$4.20

InterLATA Debit

$5.10

InterState Debit

$7.50

Unique Features

Calls to cell phones are permitted. “A $6.95 per transaction fee will be imposed by a third party vendor who processes customer ‘credit card by phone or web electronic payments; and ‘check by phone or web electronic payments’.” Payments made by US mail to Securus Lockbox do not have a fee or minimum payment. Western Union fees vary.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(CA) California

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel* Link

Local Collect

$2.45

IntraLATA Collect

$2.45

InterLATA Collect

$3.50

InterState Collect

$11.59

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

California will phase out its commissions by fiscal year 2010/2011. Rates for future years are available at http://www.dts.ca.gov/stnd/calnet-imate-ward.asp. Click on Attachment 7A – New Pricing Workbook to view the separate worksheets for each fiscal year.

Recent Phone System Changes

(CO) Colorado

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Value Added Communications (VAC)

Local Collect

$2.46

IntraLATA Collect

$6.20

InterLATA Collect

$6.20

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

$3.20

IntraLATA Debit

$3.20

InterLATA Debit

$3.20

InterState Debit

$4.60

Unique Features

The above rates are daytime rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

The above rates became effective July 1, 2008. The changes resulted in significant increases for local debit and collect calls and for intraLATA collect calls.

(CT) Connecticut

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

MCI

Local Collect

$3.55

IntraLATA Collect

$5.20

InterLATA Collect

$5.20

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

$2.66

IntraLATA Debit

$3.90

InterLATA Debit

$3.90

InterState Debit

$12.98

Unique Features

The “AdvancePay” feature results in a 25% savings on collect calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(DC) District of Columbia

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Verizon

Local Collect

$1.75

IntraLATA Collect

$3.00

InterLATA Collect

$3.00

InterState Collect

$3.00

Local Debit

$1.30

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features
To our knowledge, the DC Jail is the only facility that allows inmates to call 800 numbers.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(DE) Delaware

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Verizon

Local Collect

IntraLATA Collect

InterLATA Collect

InterState Collect

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

Verizon now has the contract with the Delaware prison system. Individuals who do not use Verizon as their local phone service company, may call (800) 786-8521 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST to set up a prepaid calling account.

(FL) Florida

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Securus Technologies, Inc.

Local Collect

$0.50

IntraLATA Collect

$1.80

InterLATA Collect

$1.80

InterState Collect

$1.80

Local Debit

$0.50

IntraLATA Debit

$1.62

InterLATA Debit

$1.62

InterState Debit

$1.62

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

In September 2007, the Department of Corrections entered into a contract with Securus Technologies through its wholly owned subsidiary T-NETIX Telecommunications Services, Inc. to implement the above rates. The contract includes a 5% commission to be paid to the Department of Corrections.

(GA) Georgia

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

MCI

Local Collect

$2.70

IntraLATA Collect

$5.80

InterLATA Collect

$7.45

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Rates vary by distance and time of day. The above rates represent low-end daytime rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(HI) Hawaii

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Verizon

Local Collect

IntraLATA Collect

InterLATA Collect

InterState Collect

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(IA) Iowa

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Service (PCS)

Local Collect

IntraLATA Collect

InterLATA Collect

InterState Collect

Local Debit

$2.00

IntraLATA Debit

$4.85

InterLATA Debit

$5.68

InterState Debit

$7.50

Unique Features

Iowa is the only state that allows only debit calling. There is no provision for a collect call. The state entered into a new contract in November 2007. That contract did not alter the rates. At that time the Department also implemented a policy that all outside deposits for prepaid phone calls must be sent to the Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP). ISP is located in a county that charges a 7% sales tax, so all deposits are now subject to that tax.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(ID) Idaho

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Service (PCS)

Local Collect

$3.60

IntraLATA Collect

$3.60

InterLATA Collect

$3.60

InterState Collect

$15.60

Local Debit

$3.40

IntraLATA Debit

$3.40

InterLATA Debit

$3.40

InterState Debit

$14.65

Unique Features

PCS offers a lower rate for collect calls that are prepaid. Those are the rates listed above. If the collect calls are not prepaid, the rates for 15-minute intrastate calls are $3.80 and the rates for 15-minute interstate calls are $16.55.
Prisoners are allowed to call cell phones.
To set up an account with PCS, call 888-288-9879.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(IL) Illinois

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

McLeod USA Telecommunications, Inc.

Local Collect

$4.89

IntraLATA Collect

$4.89

InterLATA Collect

$5.95

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Rates vary based upon distance and time of day. We used daytime rates with an average distance to compute these rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(IN) Indiana

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link (local and local long distance)

SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES (other long distance)

Local Collect

$2.95

IntraLATA Collect

$6.75

InterLATA Collect

$5.00

InterState Collect

$5.00

Local Debit

$2.95

IntraLATA Debit

$3.75

InterLATA Debit

$3.75

InterState Debit

$3.75

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(KS) Kansas

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

EMBARQ

Local Collect

$2.61

IntraLATA Collect

$3.80

InterLATA Collect

$8.11

InterState Collect

$7.70

Local Debit

$2.19

IntraLATA Debit

$3.21

InterLATA Debit

$6.97

InterState Debit

$6.55

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

These rates were implemented with a new contract in early 2008.

(KY) Kentucky

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

MCI

Local Collect

$1.85

IntraLATA Collect

$4.50

InterLATA Collect

$4.50

InterState Collect

$6.50

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(LA) Louisiana

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$0.98

IntraLATA Collect

$5.58

InterLATA Collect

$5.30

InterState Collect

$7.05

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Rates based upon distance & time of day; we used daytime rates. On August 24, 2007, we were
informed that there have been recent rate changes in Louisiana. Those rates are not yet posted,

so the changes are not reflected in the figures above

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(MA) Massachusetts

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$2.36

IntraLATA Collect

$2.36

InterLATA Collect

$2.36

InterState Collect

$13.35

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

If the local carrier of the number being called is NOT one of the following, the calls may be blocked: Verizon New England, XO Massachusetts, Brahmacom Inc. BA, Granby Tel & Tel Co., Richmond Tel Co., Richmond Networx, or Conversant Comm-MA. International calls must be placed as “debit” calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

The switch to Global Tel Link began on March 27, 2006.

(MD) Maryland

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Local Collect

$0.85

IntraLATA Collect

$7.05

InterLATA Collect

$7.05

InterState Collect

$7.20

Local Debit

$0.50

IntraLATA Debit

$4.50

InterLATA Debit

$4.50

InterState Debit

$4.50

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(ME) Maine

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Owned and operated by the Department of Corrections

Local Collect

$5.30

IntraLATA Collect

$5.30

InterLATA Collect

$5.30

InterState Collect

$13.35

Local Debit

$4.50

IntraLATA Debit

$4.50

InterLATA Debit

$4.50

InterState Debit

$4.50

Unique Features

Maine citizens who accept even one collect call from a prison or jail are now seeing a monthly “bill statement fee” of $1.95.

Recent or Pending Legislation

LD 91 would have required the Public Utilities Commission to oversee and regulate the Department of Corrections telephone system, and produce annual reports for the legislature, with recommendations for improvement. The bill died in the Senate.

Recent Phone System Changes

The rates noted here were implemented in 2007. The phone system is owned and operated by the Department of Corrections.
In June 2008, the Maine Public Utilities Commission concluded that it has jurisdiction over the Maine Department of Corrections prisoner telephone system. Based upon that conclusion, it will examine a challenge by family members and supporters of prisoners that the rates and charges set by the DOC are unfair and unreasonable.

(MI) Michigan

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Embarq

Local Collect

$1.80

IntraLATA Collect

$1.80

InterLATA Collect

$1.80

InterState Collect

$2.25

Local Debit

$1.50

IntraLATA Debit

$1.50

InterLATA Debit

$1.50

InterState Debit

$1.80

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

On December 4, 2006, the Department posted a memo indicating that debit calls could be made to cell phones. (Collect calls to cell phones will not be allowed.)
On February 1, 2007, the Department posted a memo indicating that calls will be allowed to phones using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). The memo states that “VOIP is not call forwarding and is allowable.’ Those using VOIP report substantial savings. A July 27, 2007 memo showed debit rates for IntraLATA and InterLATA that were slightly less than collect calls. Prior to that, Michigan had been the only state to offer debit calling with no reduction in rates.

(MN) Minnesota

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$1.75

IntraLATA Collect

$4.95

InterLATA Collect

$6.45

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

$0.35

IntraLATA Debit

$4.80

InterLATA Debit

$4.80

InterState Debit

$4.80

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(MO) Missouri

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

PCS

Local Collect

$2.50

IntraLATA Collect

$2.50

InterLATA Collect

$2.50

InterState Collect

$2.50

Local Debit

$1.50

IntraLATA Debit

$1.50

InterLATA Debit

$1.50

InterState Debit

$1.50

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

In the autumn of 2006, the Department switched its service to PCS, reduced the rates for all but local calls, and introduced debit calling. Its rates are now comparable to Nebraska’s – the lowest in the country. The department no longer accepts a commission on prisoner calls.

(MS) Mississippi

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$2.60

IntraLATA Collect

$4.90

InterLATA Collect

$4.90

InterState Collect

$13.35

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(MT) Montana

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Services (PCS)

Local Collect

$5.75

IntraLATA Collect

$5.75

InterLATA Collect

$5.75

InterState Collect

$5.75

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(NC) North Carolina

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$1.05

IntraLATA Collect

$3.65

InterLATA Collect

$3.75

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(ND) North Dakota

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Securus Technologies

Local Collect

$5.13

IntraLATA Collect

$5.13

InterLATA Collect

$6.06

InterState Collect

$6.06

Local Debit

$0.75

IntraLATA Debit

$0.75

InterLATA Debit

$5.10

InterState Debit

$5.10

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(NE) Nebraska

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$1.00

IntraLATA Collect

$1.80

InterLATA Collect

$2.25

InterState Collect

$3.75

Local Debit

$0.80

IntraLATA Debit

$1.50

InterLATA Debit

$1.80

InterState Debit

$3.00

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(NH) New Hampshire

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Service (PCS)

Local Collect

$2.20

IntraLATA Collect

$2.70

InterLATA Collect

$2.70

InterState Collect

$2.70

Local Debit

$1.50

IntraLATA Debit

$2.25

InterLATA Debit

$2.25

InterState Debit

$2.25

Unique Features

Incarcerated persons are allowed to call cell phones and VOIP lines.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(NJ) New Jersey

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$2.50

IntraLATA Collect

$4.75

InterLATA Collect

$7.75

InterState Collect

$15.10

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Rates vary by time of day; we’ve used daytime rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

The contract period is 4/1/2005 to 3/31/2010.

(NM) New Mexico

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Service (PCS)

Local Collect

$2.15

IntraLATA Collect

$4.38

InterLATA Collect

$4.38

InterState Collect

$10.50

Local Debit

$1.80

IntraLATA Debit

$3.60

InterLATA Debit

$3.60

InterState Debit

$7.50

Unique Features

Rates vary by time of day; we’ve used daytime rates.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

On July 31, 2007, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission ordered an inquiry into the rates and charges of Institutional Operator Service Providers (IOSPs) to determine whether there is a cost basis for the rates being charged.

(NV) Nevada

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$1.46

IntraLATA Collect

$4.27

InterLATA Collect

$5.03

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

$1.46

IntraLATA Debit

$4.27

InterLATA Debit

$5.03

InterState Debit

$17.30

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

Unlike most states with prepaid calling, Nevada provides no discount for prepayment.

(NY) New York

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$2.30

IntraLATA Collect

$2.30

InterLATA Collect

$2.30

InterState Collect

$2.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

New York has joined Nebraska in accepting no commission on prisoner phone calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

On his eighth day in office, Governor Eliot Spitzer announced that, as of April 1, 2007, the state would stop receiving commissions on prison phone calls. Elimination of the 57.5% commission reduced the cost of calls by 50%.

On June 21, 2007, the New York State Senate and Assembly reached agreement on legislation (A05407) that will require that rates for phone calls from prisons will be comparable to rates in the surrounding community, and will be based upon the lowest rates to inmates using the phones. As summarized by the New York Campaign for Telephone Justice, “(The) legislation would treat prison telephone service as a right, not as a revenue generator.” The changes will be reflected in a new contract that will be implemented April 1, 2008.

(OH) Ohio

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$1.10

IntraLATA Collect

$6.60

InterLATA Collect

$6.60

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

There is a 20% discount on all prepaid calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(OK) Oklahoma

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

SBC

Local Collect

$3.60

IntraLATA Collect

$3.60

InterLATA Collect

$3.60

InterState Collect

$3.60

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

Beginning in January 2008, the Corrections Department stopped taking a commission and implemented a consistent rate for all calls.

(OR) Oregon

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$2.35

IntraLATA Collect

$4.14

InterLATA Collect

$14.30

InterState Collect

$17.30

Local Debit

$1.75

IntraLATA Debit

$2.81

InterLATA Debit

$9.10

InterState Debit

$10.60

Unique Features

Rates vary by institution, time of day, and distance. We used daytime rates in effect at most institutions, and averaged to account for distance.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

Calls can be made to cell phones and to VOIP phones. Information on the DOC website suggests that “cordless phones, cell phones, and VOIP lines are prone to” being disconnected due to interruptions in the phone signal, and refunds will not be made in these cases.

(PA) Pennsylvania

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Securus Technologies

Local Collect