labama Attorney General Steve Marshall is one of 14 Republican attorneys general that have joined a lawsuit to block federal caps on prices for telecommunications in prisons and jails.
The attorneys general representing their respective states argued in a filing Monday that the Federal Communications Commission’s rule to cap phone call charges was an “abuse of discretion” and “contrary to law.”
US: Female DUI Driver Slammed into Sheriff’s Patrol Car at Lacey IntersectionUS: Female DUI Driver Slammed into Sheriff’s Patrol Car at Lacey Intersection
In July, the FCC passed a rule to lower phone and video call rates for incarcerated people. In a press release, the commission explained how much the rule would cut costs.
“The Federal Communications Commission today voted to end exorbitant phone and video call rates that have burdened incarcerated people and their families for decades,” the FCC said.
“Under the new rules, the cost of a 15-minute phone call will drop to $0.90 from as much as $11.35 in large jails and, in small jails, to $1.35 from $12.10.”
The states also argued that cutting communication costs reduces revenue for the prisons and jails. Two lawsuits filed earlier this year in Michigan allege that there is a kickback scheme ongoing between county governments and prison phone companies.
The Alabama Department of Corrections contracts with Securus Technologies to manage telecommunications.
According to the company’s website, most prisons and jails in Alabama charge $4.95 for remote sessions with family or an attorney. However, there are several facilities that charge more, like the Etowah County Jail, which charges $7.60 for 20-minute sessions.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the FCC said, “the moral and legal authority to stop these predatory rates that harm families and increase recidivism is on the side of the FCC’s bipartisan action.”
Wendy Henderson told AL.com that her brother has been incarcerated in Alabama over 11 years, and the costs to talk to him can get “very expensive.”
Henderson was infuriated that the state would be worried about prison phone calls rather than more crucial issues.
