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

$2.20

IntraLATA Collect

$5.00

InterLATA Collect

$6.55

InterState Collect

$12.61

Local Debit

$2.20

IntraLATA Debit

$5.00

InterLATA Debit

$5.55

InterState Debit

$9.75

Unique Features

Rates vary by institution. We used rates in effect at most institutions.
There is a $5 service fee for any prepayments less than $30.
In the spring of 2007, the DOC began introducing a system to allow prisoners to receive email. The cost is $0.60 per standard page. The message is screened before being delivered. Because of security concerns, prisoners cannot send email.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(RI) Rhode Island

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Local Collect

$0.70

IntraLATA Collect

$0.70

InterLATA Collect

$0.70

InterState Collect

$5.80

Local Debit

$0.63

IntraLATA Debit

$0.63

InterLATA Debit

$0.63

InterState Debit

$5.22

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

Rhode Island entered into a contract with Global Tel Link in 2007. The contract introduced lower rates and debit calling and eliminated the Department’s commission.

(SC) South Carolina

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Embarq

Local Collect

$1.15

IntraLATA Collect

$4.91

InterLATA Collect

$7.95

InterState Collect

$8.20

Local Debit

$0.92

IntraLATA Debit

$3.93

InterLATA Debit

$6.36

InterState Debit

$6.56

Unique Features

Rates vary by time of day and distance. We used average daytime rates where distance is a factor.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(SD) South Dakota

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES

Local Collect

$2.71

IntraLATA Collect

$6.60

InterLATA Collect

$6.60

InterState Collect

$11.75

Local Debit

$1.35

IntraLATA Debit

$3.88

InterLATA Debit

$3.88

InterState Debit

$3.92

Unique Features

Rates vary by time of day and institution. We used daytime rates in effect at most institutions.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(TN) Tennessee

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$1.00

IntraLATA Collect

$3.35

InterLATA Collect

$4.64

InterState Collect

$14.30

Local Debit

$0.90

IntraLATA Debit

$3.02

InterLATA Debit

$4.18

InterState Debit

$12.87

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(TX) Texas

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Local Collect

IntraLATA Collect

InterLATA Collect

InterState Collect

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

The system will utilize a biometric identifier to verify the prisoner making the call.

Recent or Pending Legislation

On May 15, 2007, the governor signed S.B. 1580, calling for implementation of a phone system in Texas prisons. The legislation specifies that the state will receive a commission of at least 40%. Calls cannot exceed 15 minutes and 120 minutes per month. To make calls, prisoners would have to be free of major disciplinary violations within the previous 90 days and have a prison job, be in school or in a treatment program. Contract negotiations are to be completed by August 31, 2008.

Recent Phone System Changes

(UT) Utah

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

FSH Communications

Local Collect

$2.80

IntraLATA Collect

$4.17

InterLATA Collect

$4.17

InterState Collect

$10.31

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(VA) Virginia

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$1.00

IntraLATA Collect

$3.75

InterLATA Collect

$6.00

InterState Collect

$8.85

Local Debit

$0.90

IntraLATA Debit

$3.35

InterLATA Debit

$5.20

InterState Debit

$8.40

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

HB 1632 (2007) would have authorized the State Corporation Commission to determine that the rates for debit or prepaid telephone systems at state correctional facilities were at the lowest available rates for the service in accordance with filed schedules. The measure also would have established a 10% cap on the amount of any commissions, lease payments or other fees that a provider of inmate telecommunications services may pay to the Commonwealth or any agency or political subdivision under its contract. Any amounts paid in excess of this cap would have been deposited in a newly established Prisoner Telephone Rate Fund and used to reduce the surcharges or rates paid for calls. (The bill did pass.)

Recent Phone System Changes

(VT) Vermont

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Public Communications Service (PCS)

Local Collect

$2.30

IntraLATA Collect

$4.70

InterLATA Collect

$4.70

InterState Collect

$10.75

Local Debit

$1.98

IntraLATA Debit

$3.11

InterLATA Debit

$3.11

InterState Debit

$8.10

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

In April, 2001, the legislature passed a bill that would phase out commissions by fiscal year 2006. The reductions were to begin in fiscal year 2003. Unfortunately, the following year, the legislature quietly eliminated the provision for a phase out of the commission.

Recent Phone System Changes

(WA) Washington

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

FSH Communications

Local Collect

$3.50

IntraLATA Collect

$3.50

InterLATA Collect

$3.50

InterState Collect

$17.41

Local Debit

$3.15

IntraLATA Debit

$3.15

InterLATA Debit

$3.15

InterState Debit

Unique Features

To our knowledge, Washington is the only state that provides the debit calling option, but excludes interstate calls.

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

In January 2008, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission fined AT&T more than $300,000 for overcharging families of prisoners for collect calls from Airway Heights Corrections Center and Washington State Penitentiary. The over-billing, which occurred from March to June 2005 will also result in reimbursements of $67, 295 to those families. People can contact AT&T at 1-800-826-9923 to ask for a reimbursement form.

(WI) Wisconsin

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Embarq

Local Collect

$1.25

IntraLATA Collect

$4.55

InterLATA Collect

$5.45

InterState Collect

$7.25

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(WV) West Virginia

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel*Link

Local Collect

$0.95

IntraLATA Collect

$3.25

InterLATA Collect

$3.25

InterState Collect

$6.25

Local Debit

IntraLATA Debit

InterLATA Debit

InterState Debit

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

(WY) Wyoming

Telephone Company

Cost of a 15-Minute Call

Global Tel Link

Local Collect

$1.49

IntraLATA Collect

$3.72

InterLATA Collect

$3.72

InterState Collect

$12.85

Local Debit

$1.24

IntraLATA Debit

$3.08

InterLATA Debit

$3.08

InterState Debit

10.76

Unique Features

Recent or Pending Legislation

Recent Phone System Changes

In June 2006, Wyoming DOC entered into a contract with Inmate Calling Solutions to offer reduced rates on collect calls and debit calling.

TELEPHONE COMPANY PRACTICES

ATT: In late 2002, AT&T introduced a program in Arizona called the “Correctional Discount Plan.” For $5 per month, the call recipient receives a 15% discount on all calls from prisons that use their system. One eTc Campaign participant estimated that she saved $6.50 per month on $78.00 worth of phone calls.

Global Tel Link: At the beginning of 2003, Global Tel Link began blocking phone calls from prisoners if the call recipient’s local carrier does not have a billing agreement with Global Tel Link. The blocks can be avoided by prepaying the calls. States known to be affected include CA, GA, LA, NY, and VA.

SPRINT: In 2002, Sprint began blocking phone calls from prisoners if the call recipient’s local carrier does not have a billing agreement with Sprint. The blocks can be avoided by prepaying the calls. State known to be affected is MI.

T-NETIX: T-NETIX is also apparently blocking phone calls from prisoners if the call recipient’s local carrier does not have a billing agreement with T-NETIX. The blocks can be avoided by prepaying the calls. States known to be affected are KS and MD.

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