Image via Convict Soapbox

Please see my newest article at DigBoston,
THE COST OF PRISON VIDEO VISITATION: ANOTHER HARDSHIP FOR FAMILIES,
As lawmakers consider free phone calls, expensive video calls come to Mass prisons.

It begins: “First, the good news: S.2846, which would allow free phone calls to all prisoners in a state or county facility, will go to the Senate floor for a vote, Sen. President Karen Spilka tweeted in late July. 

If the bill passes the Senate, the House would vote, and then if successful, it would go to Gov. Charlie Baker. Many activists who have been working on this issue for years say it is particularly timely. Free calling is one of the few ways that incarcerated people can stay connected with their loved ones during the COVID-19 crisis without incurring horrendous costs.

And now, just when prisoners and their families thought they might be able to save a buck, the Mass Department of Correction (DOC) is rolling out a plan to charge them for video visitation. And they’re charging a significant amount for the privilege of connecting through one of the same services that gouged them on telephone calls, Securus.” More