JAIL NEWS: NYC is the 1st Major US City To Make Jail Phone Calls Free

Text OS to 24042 to join 95.5 The Lou’s mobile club for exclusive news (Terms & Conditions).

Source: Courtesy / Tony Scott

New York has become the first major city in the U.S. to offer free phone calls from jails. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the city has fully implemented a law passed by the City Council last August to eliminate fees for inmate phone calls. The free calls will help people in custody stay connected to their lawyers, families and support networks. City jail inmates were previously charged 50 cents for the first minute of a phone call and 5 cents per additional minute. Connecticut is considering a bill to provide free calling for inmates in the state’s prison system. Connecticut would be the first state to make prison calls free if the law passes.