DENVER, CO — Today, the Colorado Senate voted 23-12 to pass HB23-1133, which makes calls free in state prisons across Colorado. The bill was sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Mandy Lindsay in the House and Senators Julie Gonzales and Robert Rodriguez in the Senate and now moves to Governor Jared Polis’ desk to be signed. Colorado follows Connecticut and California to become the third state in the country to make prison calls free.
"I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for seeing the wisdom in the policy and passing this bill," said Representative Judy Amabile, who originated the bill with Representative Mandy Lindsay in the House. "It is going to help people on the inside stay connected with their loved ones and communities, and that is a win for everyone."
The bill will cut call costs by 25% in the first year, 35% in the second year, and then make all calls free starting July 1, 2025. When it goes into full effect, this bill will bring huge relief to Colorado families who pay over $8.8 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 out of three families with a loved one behind bars goes into debt just to stay in touch, and women carry 87% of the burden.
“At its core, this bill is about keeping families connected, and I'm thrilled it's making its way to Governor Polis' desk. We've heard from countless Coloradans who've racked up thousands of dollars worth of debt communicating with their incarcerated loved ones. Making prison phone calls free will allow family members, especially children, to stay in-touch with their loved ones which lays a strong foundation to life after incarceration and works to reduce recidivism. I'm beyond proud of the progress we've made with this legislation and I have no doubt it will foster stronger, more connected families,” said Representative Mandy Lindsay.
In addition to Connecticut and California, calls from jails are free in several municipalities, including New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, and Louisville. Worth Rises is supporting active prison phone justice campaigns in Minnesota, Michigan, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and more.
“Today, the Colorado legislature demonstrated a commitment to families in their state by passing HB23-1133 to make prison communication free. Incarcerated people with their parents, spouses, and children on the outside will be able to build a support system,” said Bianca Tylek, Executive Director of Worth Rises. “In passing this legislation, Colorado joins a growing list of cities and states that have put families first and made prison and jail communication free. There are a handful of other states still considering this legislation this year and we expect more in the future. We applaud the legislature of Colorado for helping lead the movement for prison phone justice.”
Research has repeatedly shown that when incarcerated people and their families are in regular communication, they do better both while they are behind bars and when they reenter the community, which improves safety for correctional officers and the public. Such communication substantially decreases incidents in prisons and reduces recidivism upon release. And the positive impacts are similar for families. The 1 in 28 children with an incarcerated parent, for instance, do better at home and at school when they are able to maintain relationships with their parents in prison.
"The stories of losing connection with a child, or choosing between necessary commissary goods and a birthday phone call to a daughter were the leading voices in this coalition. Together, Colorado families, coalition partners, and sponsors made sure that Colorado families no longer have to be burdened with the cycle of debt families pay to stay in contact with a loved one,” said Kayla Frawley, Legislative Director at ProgressNow Colorado. “Family connection is a societal investment and free phone calls reduce recidivism, and make safer environments — everywhere, inside and out. Thank you sponsors, coalition partners and families most impacted — for this incredibly important bill that we passed."
HB23-1133 is backed by the Colorado Connecting Families coalition made up of state and national organizations, including A Better Balance, ACLU of Colorado, AUL Denver, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, Connected Families, Elephant Circle, Legislation Inside, ProgressNow Colorado, New Era Colorado, Second Chance Center, Soul2Soul Sisters, Stand for Children Colorado, The Reentry Initiative, Together Colorado, and Worth Rises.
Janelle Jenkins with Elephant Circle and whose daughter’s father is incarcerated said, “Colorado is showing how valuable its constituents are by supporting these efforts to keep families connected. These connected families in turn will feel valued and help their incarcerated loved ones to know their value as well.”
"HB23-1133 is about centering the humanity and dignity of our communities and its passage brings us closer to addressing the intersections of poverty and incarceration and keeping Black families together,” said Lauren Smith, Black Civic Engagement & Policy Manager for Soul2Soul Sisters.
Local activist George Davis V, who testified on the bill, said, “A great step for Colorado to support our families, keep us connected, and attack recidivism. I know how the ability to say the words ‘I love you’ will change so many lives.”