The High Costs Of Calling From Jail, Why Do Inmate Phone Calls Cost So Much? | The Communication Blog

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The High Costs Of Calling From Jail, Why Do Inmate Phone Calls Cost So Much?

By Mike Zimmerman

Undoubtedly, people who have gotten a sentence committed serious crimes and they are dangerous for all of us- the other people. After all, that is why they are isolated from the others, right? However, is just one mistake enough to make us treat the prisoners like they were no humans? You are wondering what I am talking about? Well, you will figure it out in a while...

I would understand everyone who claims that they do not believe me. Anyway, there are plenty of examples which could be given so as to prove what I claim. Perhaps, the cost of calls made from jail is what will give you the most vivid idea of how the US correct institutions seem to develop. Being allowed to keep in touch with your friends and relatives is a sacred right and nobody can take it away from you no matter whether you are a prisoner or a president.

Unfortunately, that is hardly possible since the US correct institutions restricted the inmates' rights severely. Yes, US seem to be a very democratic country but obviously, when it comes down to prisoners' rights and desires, the situation changes a little bit. Thousands of words like these can be said or written but they mean nothing unless specific examples are given.

There is no second opinion that one of the most unacceptable and undemocratic restriction which has been is the one concerning the calls from jail. Did you know that the inmates are not allowed to make any calls? Yes, that's right! They can only receive calls but if they wish to contact with any member of the family, they must have made pre-payment. However, the paradox is that the offenders cannot even make a payment/pre-payment- it should have been made by their relatives. So, the conclusion is that if a prisoner wants to make a call, he needs to have made a pre-payment which he is not allowed to make! Great logic and consideration of prisoners' rights, don't you think so?

However, before talking about the cost of making a call from jail, we shall mention another scaring fact. Inmates have a limit (which is usually 20 minutes) concerning the phone calls, even when they are completely free for the US institutions due to the fact that these calls are made from the other side. The US correct institutions even made the effort to remind the both parties (the inmate and the person he/she is talking to) how many minutes left they have. The woman's pleasant voice usually can be heard 2 minutes, 1 minute and half minute before the limit is reached. And now let's continue with the cost of phone calls which are made from prison. You will certainly be surprised. Just face the facts! If the call is made from jail to another location in the same state, it costs $3.50 (flat rate). But note: if the location is outside the prison's state, then it costs $5.00 (flat rate) and $0.89 per 1 minute. It is definitely not a little amount of money, especially for a person in jail.

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