New York will eliminate charges for phone calls made from state prisons beginning August 1, state officials announced Tuesday. Currently, incarcerated individuals are allowed three free 15-minute calls per week, after which they are charged 2.4 cents per minute.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said in a statement that removing the cost aims to strengthen family connections, which helps reduce tensions and conflicts inside correctional facilities.
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Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the department, emphasized the importance of maintaining family ties during incarceration. “Strong family support plays a vital role in improving outcomes both during incarceration and after release, ultimately helping to lower recidivism,” he said.
While New York City jails have provided free phone calls since 2019, New York now joins Connecticut and several other states that have adopted similar statewide policies. The corrections department confirmed that the funding for the initiative has been incorporated into its existing operating budget.