Why Are Prison Phone Calls So Expensive: Understanding the Factors Behind the High Costs

Incarcerated individuals and their families are often faced with the exorbitant cost of prison phone calls. This article explores the key factors contributing to these high fees and why they continue unabated in many correctional facilities.

Vendor Contracts

Prisons frequently enter into exclusive agreements with specific telecommunications companies to provide phone services. These vendor contracts often include clauses that allow for high fees. These fees are subsequently passed on to inmates and their families, driving up the cost of communication.

Commission Fees

Many correctional facilities earn a portion of the revenue generated by phone calls through commission fees. This financial incentive encourages facilities to maintain high call prices, as revenue can significantly impact their budget.

Limited Competition

The lack of competition among phone service providers in many regions exacerbates the high cost of prison phone calls. With few alternatives available, inmates and their families have little choice but to pay high prices for essential communication services.

Infrastructure Costs

The cost of maintaining and operating the phone systems in correctional facilities can be considerable. This includes the sophisticated technology needed to monitor and record calls for security purposes. The ongoing expenses of infrastructure and technology contribute to the high cost of prison phone calls.

Regulations and Security

The need for security measures, such as call monitoring and recording, adds to the operational costs. These measures are vital for ensuring the safety and security of both the inmates and the facility staff, but they increase the overall cost of providing phone services.

Market Dynamics and Family Connections

The high demand for communication between inmates and their families can lead to price gouging. Families may feel compelled to pay whatever is necessary to maintain contact, regardless of the high costs. This dynamic creates a situation where prices can be significantly higher than in the commercial market.

Call for Reform

Advocacy groups have been pushing for reforms to reduce the cost of prison phone calls, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family connections for rehabilitation and reintegration. However, the current setup, with a monopoly supplier and a captive market, makes it difficult to control pricing without intervention from authorities.

Corporate Greed and Exploitation

The high prices for phone calls are often a result of greed. Both the prison system and telecommunications companies know that they have a captive audience. They exploit this situation by charging exorbitant fees for essential services. This practice extends beyond just phone calls, with commissary items also being overpriced to extract more revenue.

Funding Through Fees

Even the prison system faces costs associated with operating the phone system. Telecoms and the facility incur expenses to run these services, but unpaid invoices from inmates and their families mean these costs are passed on to legitimate users, further driving up the overall cost.

The combination of these factors creates a challenging and expensive situation for inmates and their families. Reform is necessary to ensure that communication remains affordable and accessible, promoting rehabilitation and maintaining important family connections.