Ohio inmates to pay less for phone calls under FCC ruling; commission says move was overdue

8/10/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS — The cost that Ohio inmates pay for interstate phone calls will be dramatically reduced as a result of a Federal Communications Commission decision.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the charge for a 15-minute interstate call for which inmates currently pay more than $17 will be capped at $3.75.

The FCC’s chairwoman, Mignon Clyburn, on Friday said the move was long overdue.

The newspaper reports Ohio inmates pay some of the nation’s highest rates for interstate calls coming to and from its prisons. The state is behind Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia.

The commission says studies have shown inmates who stay in contact with family and community members while in prison have reduced recidivism rates. The commission says about 2.7 million children would benefit from more frequent communication with an incarcerated parent.