ANNAPOLIS, MD — This week, the Maryland Senate and House held hearings on Senate Bill 948 and House Bill 1366, which would make calls free across Maryland’s prisons, ahead of committee votes. Advocates and impacted community members testified on the impact that the bills would have on incarcerated people, their children and families, and public safety. The bills are sponsored by Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and Delegate Kent Roberson, respectively. If the bills pass, Maryland would become the next and sixth state to make prison calls free, following quickly on the heels of Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Colorado. California made prison calls free in 2022 and Connecticut in 2021.
“I am proud to introduce SB 948 which will keep Maryland’s families connected by making phone calls free in prisons,” said Senator Jeff Waldstreicher. “When incarcerated people have access to free phone calls, they are able to stay in touch with their loved ones without worrying about the financial burden, making our communities safer and improving reentry.”
This legislation would bring massive relief to Maryland families, who spend $12 million each year to speak to their incarcerated loved ones. Over 50% of these families — who are disproportionately Black, brown, and low-income — struggle to meet basic housing and food needs. One in three families with a loved one behind bars goes into debt just to stay in touch, and women carry 87% of the burden. Advocates assert that curing these harms by making prison calls free would cost the state just $3 million annually.
“I am honored to sponsor HB1366 – a bill to remove fees for telephone calls for incarcerated individuals. It has been scientifically proven that incarcerated individuals who have regular contact with family, friends, and loved ones are less likely to return to incarceration and more likely to engage in rehabilitative behaviors,” said Delegate Kent Roberson. “Communication is also a necessary tool to help those friends and family members who are disconnected from their incarcerated loved one. As Maryland looks to improve the lives of all residents, whether incarcerated or free, HB 1366 is one tool to make this happen. Now is the time to pass HB1366!”
In just three years, five states have passed legislation making prison calls free — California, Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. The legislation in Connecticut and Massachusett included not just calls but all communication services, such as video calls and electronic messages. The Massachusetts’ legislation also covered all local jails in the state. Several counties and cities, including New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, and Los Angeles, have also made jail calls free. And there are active Connecting Families campaigns in more than a dozen states across the country.
“We are excited to see the national Connecting Families movement gaining momentum with each state that considers its legislation. Now, Maryland has the opportunity to become the next state in this movement to make communication free for incarcerated people, and it shouldn’t wait to do so,” said Ta’Mara Hill, Director of Policy Campaigns at Government Affairs at Worth Rises. “Connecting incarcerated people with their families and support networks is a simple, cost-effective way to improve reentry outcomes and public safety while strengthening families and communities. It’s a no brainer. So, we urge the Maryland legislature to advance SB948 and HB1366.”
Years of research have shown a range of benefits from regular communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones. Communication with support systems can inspire people to reengage in their own rehabilitations and lower tension and violent incidents inside, making the carceral environment safer for both incarcerated people and correctional staff. Communication also helps people prepare for their release, increasing the likelihood of securing housing, employment, and more. Moreover, communication benefits the entire family, especially parents, spouses, and children. For example, children with an incarcerated parent do better at home or in school when they are connected.
The bill is backed by the Maryland Connecting Families Coalition, the local chapter of the Connecting Families Campaign. It’s made up of over a dozen state and national organizations, including the Center for Criminal Justice at the University of Baltimore School of Law, Life After Release, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, Fines and Fees Justice Center, and Worth Rises, as well as directly impacted individuals.
“The COVID-19 pandemic threw into sharp relief how much we as human beings need social connection for our mental health and well-being. But for many incarcerated individuals and their families, the cost of regular telephone calls is simply unaffordable, forcing these families to face the heart-wrenching choice of staying connected to their incarcerated loved ones or paying the bills,” said Lucy Zhou, attorney at the Public Justice Center. “The Public Justice Center stands in solidarity with the coalition and our clients on the inside fighting to make these communications free in Maryland, which will not only provide these families immediate financial relief, but also strengthen the social ties necessary for incarcerated individuals to thrive in their communities upon release.”
Qiana Johnson, Executive Director of Life After Release said, "Life After Release urges the Judiciary Committee and Maryland General Assembly to support SB948 and HB1366, which eliminates the costly barrier of prison phone calls. About 48 percent of women in federal prison, and 55 percent in state facilities, are mothers. Let's ensure that families, especially children, can maintain vital connections with their incarcerated loved ones without financial strain."
"Research clearly demonstrates the benefits of continued communication between incarcerated people, their loved ones, and support networks. This bill supports Maryland families, reduces recidivism, and makes our communities safer," said Heather Warnken, the Executive Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Reform, University of Baltimore School of Law.
“Strong and robust communication for incarcerated people and their loved ones creates positive communities for all of us. The financial burden associated with phone calls has been, for too long, another impossible weight for Maryland families already facing the trauma of an incarcerated loved one,” said Cheryl A. Leanza, Policy Advisor at the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry. “The United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry urges the Maryland General Assembly to direct the department of correction to take on the cost of these calls so that families can focus on keeping their bonds strong; clergy can provide counseling and support; and incarcerated people can focus on preparing to thrive when they rejoin their communities. Thanks to Senator Waldstriecher and Delegate Roberson for leading the way on this legislation, and thanks for agreeing to work with bill supporters to ensure fair access to communications.”
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The Maryland Connecting Families Coalition is advocating for free communication for incarcerated people and their loved ones in Maryland. The coalition is comprised of ACLU of MD, Center for Criminal Justice Reform, University of Baltimore School of Law, Civil Rights Corps, Fines and Fees Justice Center, Job Opportunities Task Force, Life After Release, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Maryland Reentry Resource Center, Public Justice Center, United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, Worth Rises.
Worth Rises, a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to ending the exploitation of incarcerated people and their loved ones, is a founding member of the Maryland Connecting Families Coalition and has helped pass legislation to make prison calls free in five states – California, Connecticut, Colorado, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. Follow @WorthRises on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.