Learn about the Martha Wright-Reed Act and FCC mandates for just and reasonable inmate communication rates, ensuring equitable access for all individuals in correctional facilities and what is means to your Agency.
The New FCC Mandates
WAIVER PROCESS
Allows providers to request a waiver to recover costs if they are unable to do so under the rate caps
RATE CAPS
Permanent rate caps for audio services and interim rate caps for video services based on your average daily population
ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES
Prohibits providers from charging separate ancillary service fees
DISABILITY ACCESS
Requires IPCS providers to comply with disability access rules
FCC Mandates In Brief
Elimination of Commission Payments to Agencies
Precludes any commissions, payments in kind, or tech bonuses of any kind to agencies
Voice Calls
Voice call cap rates based on Facility type & ADP
Prisons & Large Jails
1,000+ ADP
Rate Cap: $0.06 per minute
Medium Jails
350 - 999 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.07 per minute
Very Small Jails
0 - 99 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.12 per minute
Small Jails
100 - 349 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.09 per minute
Video Calls
Voice call cap rates based on Facility type & ADP
Prisons
Any ADP
Rate Cap: $0.16 per minute
Medium Jails
350 - 999 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.12 per minute
Very Small Jails
0 - 99 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.25 per minute
Small Jails
100 - 349 ADP
Rate Cap: $0.14 per minute
Large Jails
1,000+ ADP
Rate Cap: $0.11 per minute
Agencies are encouraged to consult with their County Attorneys Office for clarifications and compliance, or contact the FCC directly
Prohibited Site Commissions
This Act prohibits all IPCS providers from paying site commissions of any kind associated with intrastate, interstate, international, jurisdictionally mixed, and jurisdictionally indeterminate audio and video IPCS, including all monetary and in-kind site commissions, at all facilities.
Other FCC actions include:
Required facilities to make reasonable efforts to return any leftover call funds to released inmates
Guaranteed free Telecommunications Relay Services for people with disabilities
FCC Mandates Overview
Federal guidelines regulating inmate communication rates in brief from the University of Tennessee
Martha Wright-Reed Act
The Martha Wright-Reed Act is a law that requires the FCC to ensure that incarcerated people have access to affordable and accessible communications services. The FCC adopted a Report and Order on July 18, 2024 to implement the Act.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can be contacted about the Martha Wright-Reed Act by filing a paper document with the Secretary of the FCC.
The address for paper filings is:
Hand delivery or messenger delivery: 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
U.S. Postal Service: 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554
For Complete Information Contact the FCC
The full text of the document FCC 24-75 can be accessed electronically via the FCC's Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) website at www.fcc.gov/edocs or via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) website at www.fcc.gov/ecfs, or is available at the following internet address: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-caps-exorbitant-phone-video-call-rates-incarcerated-persons-their-families.
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