A chalk for prison telecommunications – and against prisoners’ family – Trump’s FCC courtesy. On Monday, the agency said (Via Stuffy) This will delay the implementation of the 2024 action, which aims to make the jail phone call fees. The rules are now in effect in April 2027.
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez criticized the agency’s move in a statement. He wrote, “Today, the FCC made an unforgivable decision to ignore both the Congress law and the Congress.”
In the state, the jail phone call fees varies dramatically. Last year, the FCC said that large prisons for a 15 -minute audio call could reach $ 11.35. Meanwhile, family members can pay a maximum of 10 12.10 for the same period who calls for small prisons. In other states, the rates are very low, and some have approved the Captain fee to the rules.
The fees collected from the prisoners’ families and friends often include kickbacks to prisons and local governments. In 2021, Business Internal Reported (through Stuffy) That the prison phone call industry is roaming for $ 1.4 billion annually. And this is a system that influences women and color people inadvertently.
Brandon Kerr with Donald Trump in 2024. (Brandon Bell via Getty Images)
The FCC history is everywhere to manage these rates. In 2013, the agency met state fees from the state. He later tried to limit the state rates, but a federal court stopped the move. Former FCC chair Ajit Pai, Trump’s first term appointment, chose not to appeal the decision.
Then, a new administration made another change. Under the leadership of Jessica Rosenusal, the FCC then headed for fees. In 2023, former President Biden signed a legislature stating that it was clear that the FCC really had the authority to organize them. Last year, the FCC had adopted the order to set details of these rates caps. It seemed as if the book was about to close.
And then, Donald Trump returned to the office. This was brought back to us today, the current FCC chairman Brandon Car issued a two -year delay. He cited the “negative, non -intended results” from an order of 2024. He claimed that the rate caps are very low to meet the cost of safety measures. The delay will allow local and state governments to find alternative sources of funding, the car said.
FCC Commissioner Gomez painted the decision of his colleagues as a clear attempt to avoid the law. He wrote, “Instead of enforcing the law, the commission is now stopping, saving a broken system that increases and reveals the costs of reform facilities at the cost of prisoners and their loved ones.” “Instead of being targeted to address specific concerns, the FCC released a blanket two -year -old, which reduces the intention of the law and postpones meaningful aid for millions of families. This is a clear attempt to stop the law, and it will not be unannounced in court.”
