This is the kind of thing Democratic administrations like to address, and it's a small piece of what helps families of prison inmates. Studies show regular family contact for inmates makes a big difference in morale and behavior. President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law a bill aimed at easing the cost for prisoners to call family and friends. Via CBS News:
The legislation clarifies that the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates interstate and international communications through cable, radio, television, satellite and wire, can set limits for fees on audio and video calls inside corrections facilities.
Phone calls from prisons and jails are a lifeline for those incarcerated, but the cost varies widely and can be a financial drain on families already struggling to make ends meet with an adult behind bars. Right now, Kentucky has the highest cost for a 15-minute call, at $5.70, and $9.99 for a cellphone call, while New Hampshire charges only 20 cents for the same amount of time.
There are more than 1.2 million people in state and federal prisons, and tens of thousands more are incarcerated in jails nationwide awaiting trial or sentencing.
California goes one step further:
