Texas prison system slashes price of inmate phone calls by 77 percent

Authored by chron.com and submitted by EnigmaTrain
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Texas prison system slashes price of inmate phone calls by 77 percent

The Texas prison board approved a lower cost phone contract on Friday. The Texas prison board approved a lower cost phone contract on Friday. Photo: RUTH FREMSON, STF

PHOTOS: Odd rules that all Texas prisoners must live by

A long-standing rule disallowing Texas prisoners from growing beards is being amended to allow prisoners to file a religious exemption in order to grow facial hair.

See more rules that all Texas jail inmates must abide by ... less PHOTOS: Odd rules that all Texas prisoners must live by

A long-standing rule disallowing Texas prisoners from growing beards is being amended to allow prisoners to file a religious exemption in order to grow ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Don't ask for more food. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will not try to have more food placed on their tray by offenders working on the serving line. The offender workers have been told by officials how much food to serve." less Don't ask for more food. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will not try to have more food placed on their tray by offenders working on the serving line. The offender workers have been ... more Photo: John Moore, Getty

Eat fast. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall be given 20 minutes to eat, from the time they enter the dining room until they depart. Offenders who are loitering, visiting, or engaging in other similar activities and not eating will be told to leave the dining hall." less Eat fast. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall be given 20 minutes to eat, from the time they enter the dining room until they depart. Offenders who are loitering, visiting, or ... more Photo: Eric BOUVET/GAMMA, Getty

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Cut your hair, men. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Male offenders must keep their hair trimmed up the back of their neck and head. Hair must be neatly cut. Hair must be cut around the ears. Sideburns will not extend below the middle of the ears. No block style, afro, or shag haircuts will be permitted. No fad or extreme hairstyles/haircuts are allowed. No mohawks, tails, or designs cut into the hair are allowed." less Cut your hair, men. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Male offenders must keep their hair trimmed up the back of their neck and head. Hair must be neatly cut. Hair must be cut around the ears. ... more Photo: AP

Cut your hair, women. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Female offenders will not have extreme hairstyles. No mohawk, "tailed" haircuts or shaved/partially-shaved heads will be allowed. Female offenders may wear braids in accordance with unit policy. Female offenders may go to the beauty shop on their unit; however, going to the beauty shop is a privilege. Female offenders may be restricted from going to the beauty shop as the result of disciplinary action." less Cut your hair, women. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Female offenders will not have extreme hairstyles. No mohawk, "tailed" haircuts or shaved/partially-shaved heads will be allowed. Female ... more

Settle your own TV differences. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall choose television programs by majority vote of the offenders watching television or through established unit procedure." less Settle your own TV differences. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall choose television programs by majority vote of the offenders watching television or through established unit ... more Photo: Ben Leuner/AMC, © AMC Networks Entertainment LLC. And Sony Pictures Television Inc. All RIghts Reserved.

Pee where you're told. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not urinate anywhere other than in toilets provided on the recreation yard or toilets in the building." Pee where you're told. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not urinate anywhere other than in toilets provided on the recreation yard or toilets in the building." Photo: PRWeb

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Respect authority. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "When talking to an employee or official, offenders shall stand with arms by their side and call them Mr., Ms., or Officer (Last Name) or use their title. Offenders can identify the officer by the last name on his nameplate that is worn as part of the uniform. Offenders will show respect when talking with employees, officials, visitors and other offenders. Offenders will answer 'yes, sir'; 'no, sir'; 'yes, ma'am'; or 'no, ma'am." less Respect authority. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "When talking to an employee or official, offenders shall stand with arms by their side and call them Mr., Ms., or Officer (Last Name) or use ... more Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

Walk single file. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall walk single file next to the wall." Walk single file. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall walk single file next to the wall." Photo: Gail Fisher, Getty

No art for profit. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "The sale of any artwork from the basic in-cell art program is prohibited." No art for profit. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "The sale of any artwork from the basic in-cell art program is prohibited." Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

You may bring your comb to work. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders are allowed to carry the following items to their job assignment: a. 1 authorized comb or brush; b. 1 handkerchief (may not extend out of the pocket); and c. Personal Identification card. All other items are prohibited in the workplace." less You may bring your comb to work. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders are allowed to carry the following items to their job assignment: a. 1 authorized comb or brush; b. 1 handkerchief ... more

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All bets are off. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not have playing cards, dice or any other item that can be used for gambling." All bets are off. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not have playing cards, dice or any other item that can be used for gambling." Photo: Lucas Schifres, Getty Images

Off with the shades. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not wear sunglasses indoors unless medically prescribed." Off with the shades. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not wear sunglasses indoors unless medically prescribed." Photo: Warby Parker

No bad breath. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will brush their teeth daily." No bad breath. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders will brush their teeth daily." Photo: UniversalImagesGroup, Getty

No contacting your victims. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Unauthorized contact with a victim or a member of a victim’s family by an offender is prohibited." No contacting your victims. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Unauthorized contact with a victim or a member of a victim’s family by an offender is prohibited." Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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One box. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "All property must fit in a box provided that is approximately 1.75 cubic feet but shall not exceed 2.0 cubic feet. Some exceptions such as radio, typewriter, and fan can be stored outside the box." less One box. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "All property must fit in a box provided that is approximately 1.75 cubic feet but shall not exceed 2.0 cubic feet. Some exceptions such as radio, ... more

No sleeping on the floor. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not be allowed to sleep on the floor." No sleeping on the floor. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders shall not be allowed to sleep on the floor." Photo: Stephan Gladieu, Getty Images

Trim those nails. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders' fingernails will be neatly trimmed. Fingernails will not exceed more than one-eighth of an inch past the tip of the fingers. Fingernails will not be filed to a point, but will be rounded." less Trim those nails. The TDCJ's Offender Orientation Handbook says, "Offenders' fingernails will be neatly trimmed. Fingernails will not exceed more than one-eighth of an inch past the tip of the fingers. ... more Photo: Gary Gershoff, Getty

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Photo: RUTH FREMSON, STF Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Texas prison system slashes price of inmate phone calls by 77 percent 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN - The Texas prison system on Friday voted to drastically slash the cost of inmate calls home by more than 75 percent with a new phone contract more favorable to inmates and their families.

Now, instead of paying an average of 26 cents per minute, prisoners will pay 6 cents per minute - no matter the destination of the call. Also, the limit on phone calls was increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

"That is just fabulous, thank you so much - it means so much," said Jennifer Erschabek of the Texas Inmate Families Association. "I'm speechless."

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The shift, which drew accolades from lawmakers and activists alike, comes amid national conversations about the price of prison phone calls. Last year, a federal court struck down an Obama-era Federal Communications Commission rule that would have capped the costs at 11 cents per minute.

Though that was seen as a blow to the hard-fought efforts of inmate advocates nationwide, Friday's contract approval represented a win for advocates in the Lone Star State.

"This should have done it a long time ago," said state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston. "I've raised hell for years about how they were gouging inmates and their families."

Currently, a 15-minute call usually costs around $3.90, officials said at the Texas Board of Criminal Justice meeting.

Starting Sept. 1 when the new contract takes effect, a typical 15-minute call will cost just 90 cents.

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Doug Smith, a former prisoner who now works with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, lauded the new pricing as an important way to help inmates stay in touch with family on the outside, a connection that advocates say can help reduce recidivism and facilitate reentry.

"I'm so happy for the families who struggle to afford these phone calls," he said. "Now there's going to be parents who can afford to call home and maybe help with their kids' homework."

State Rep. James White, the East Texas Republican who chairs the House Committee on Corrections, concurred, praising the board and prison system executive director Bryan Collier.

"They are making some very, very significant changes that will impact recidivism, rehabilitation and ultimately will increase safe communities in Texas," he said. "I'm extremely, extremely proud of them helping us out today."

Earlier this month, White penned a letter the Collier expressing his concerns about the existing offender telephone system contract and advocating for a most affordable arrangement. He raised concerns about the previous contract, which made out-of-state calls cheaper than a call to family in Sunnyside, and he dinged the Texas legislature for benefiting from the arrangement.

As mandated by state law, the contractor gets 60 percent of the phone revenue and the state gets 40 percent. Of that 40 percent, the first $10 million must go to the Texas Crime Victims Compensation Fund. After that first $10 million, half goes to the victims fund and the other half goes to the state's general fund.

During fiscal year 2017, the phone system brought in $14.49 million for the victim fund and $4.49 million for general revenue, according to department data.

None of the money from the phone system goes back to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

"Although legislated decades ago," White wrote, "it is intriguing why the Legislature is benefiting from this scheme and this may receive some legislative attention next session."

Because that distribution of proceeds is mandated by law, it could not be addressed through contractual negotiations, which were hammered out after a request for proposal and months of evaluation.

CenturyLink, the current contract holder and a major prison phone provider in corrections systems across the country, was awarded the seven-year contract.

"The new (offender telephone system) contract is going to benefit not only family of offenders who are hoping to stay connected, but enhance the agency's focus on re-entry," Collier said in a statement. "The system is used to maintain relationships with friends and family that are a vital part of a successful re-entry and reintegration of offenders into the community."

More than 127,000 prisoners currently make use of the phone system, and 172,000 friends and families are signed up to receive roughly 1.5 million calls per month from behind bars.

As a part of the new contract, CenturyLink will update existing hardware and also install new technology for video visitation at 12 units, according to prison officials. The new hardware will allow families to contact their loved ones from further away, but officials said it won't replace in-person visits.

pinkcrushedvelvet on August 27th, 2018 at 17:55 UTC »

Why can’t this be a federal-level thing?

My husband got arrested for some weed a long time ago and they charged me $10 every 5 minutes to talk to him.

Edit: apparently people think that if you do anything illegal it’s okay to charge whatever price for phone calls because muhh consequences even though he was arrested but not convicted.

Fun fact: all charges dropped. I wonder what happened to the “innocent until proven guilty” crowd that normally brigades this sub? LOL

strosfan1001 on August 27th, 2018 at 17:52 UTC »

Now if we can just get rid of for profit prisons

Legal_Refuse on August 27th, 2018 at 17:35 UTC »

That's a fantastic start