Detention centers are furious at authorities for restricting phone charges, saying they are too expensive, and cut off all phone calls
A US detention center that offered inmates phone service to the outside world was so infuriated by a request from the Federal Communications Commission to lower its rates that it announced it would end the service, arguing that the calls were still a service.
INMATE PHONE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE IN USE AFTER MARCH 30TH (02/25/2025) - Press Releases - Baxter County Sheriff's Office
Arkansas Jail Cutting Inmate Phone Service Entirely March 30
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/arkansas-jail-cutting-inmate-phone-service-entirely-march-30/
Furious at the FCC, Arkansas jail cancels inmate phone calls rather than lower rates - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/03/rather-than-lower-rates-arkansas-jail-simply-cancels-all-inmate-phone-calls/
According to the Federal Communications Commission, prisons have monopoly power within prisons because they contract with phone companies without the inmates' consent, meaning that even if the phone company charges exorbitant rates, the inmates have no choice but to comply. Some charge more than $12 for a 15-minute call, imposing a financial burden on inmates and their families.
In response, the Federal Communications Commission issued
When the Baxter County Detention Center in Arkansas learned that the rule was coming into effect, they decided to end their phone service altogether.
'We have determined that the new regulations have made it impossible for us to maintain and manage telephone service at the Baxter County Detention Center, which is not required by law to provide. We regret that the federal government has taken this action and understand the burden it will place on families. If the Federal Communications Commission rescinds the regulations, we will explore the feasibility of reinstating telephone service,' said Baxter County Detention Center Sheriff John Montgomery.
According to technology media Ars Technica, the high telephone rates in prisons and other places are due in part to the special security required for telephone service, but also to the common practice of kicking back telephone charges to prisons, where telephone companies pay a 'commission' in exchange for exclusive rights to provide service in prisons.
The Federal Communications Commission acknowledges this fact, arguing that 'the new rules will eliminate the practice of bribery and unrelated payment of fees that impose financial
A coalition of 14 states, led by Indiana, has filed a petition for review of the rule, arguing that the FCC's decision is an abuse of discretion and seeking to have it overturned, citing insufficient evidence to support the decision.
Additionally, the Baxter County Detention Center has committed to providing additional in-person visiting hours and more frequent radio broadcasts as an alternative to telephone services.
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