BOSTON, MA — Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the FY24 budget with a provision that requires prison and jails across the state provide phone calls, video calls, and e-messaging to incarcerated people at no cost. The provision, which will go into effect December 1, 2023, was agreed to by the Senate and the House in conference committee and is estimated to save Massachusetts families over $25 million annually. This win marks the culmination of over three years of tireless advocacy by incarcerated people, families, and allied advocates.
The provision makes Massachusetts the third state this year and fifth state overall to make prison calls free, following quickly on the heels of Minnesota and Colorado. California made prison calls free in 2022 and Connecticut in 2021. The new law in Massachusetts is unique among legislation in the other states in that it applies to prisons and jails throughout the state, and it requires video calls and e-messaging, where available, to be free in addition to phone calls, which only Connecticut had done previously. The law also prohibits the state from taking kickbacks from its prison telecom vendor and protects in-person visits for Massachusetts residents with incarcerated loved ones.
“It's been an uphill battle to say the least, but one worth fighting for,” said William “7even” Ragland, Chairman of the African American Coalition Committee (AACC), a coalition of men incarcerated at MCI-Norfolk focused on reforming the criminal legal system. “Black and brown people — many in poverty — make up 21% of the Massachusetts population but roughly 60% of its prison and jail population. It is a monstrosity and repugnant. It’s not surprising then that Black and brown people spend the most on phone calls, video calls, and e-messages with their incarcerated loved ones, to the tune of $25 million annually. Given our low prison wages, our families are often left with the bill, deciding whether to put money on their loved ones’ phone accounts or pay their rent, put gas in their cars, or put food on their tables. This is all while prisons, jails, and their telecom vendors rake in profits. Today marks a change, and the AACC would like to thank everyone who was involved, and who worked on it every day like it was a Monday. We appreciate your benevolence.”
“Massachusetts is the third state just this year and the fifth state overall to make communication free for incarcerated people. It’s so clear that the connecting families movement is picking up speed and taking hold. States across the country are recognizing the benefits of connecting incarcerated people with their support networks and just how simple and cost-effective it is to do,” said Bianca Tylek, Executive Director of Worth Rises. “We applaud the Massachusetts legislature and Governor on the passage and signing of this budget that will make the promise of stronger families a reality, especially because it is the first state to make all prison and jail communication free. Thanks to the relentless work of families and allied advocates over three years, parents, children, siblings, and spouses on the outside will finally be able to reconnect with their loved ones inside.”
This budget will bring huge relief to Massachusetts families who spend millions 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.
In addition to free prison calls in Connecticut, California, Colorado, and Minnesota, calls from jails are free in several municipalities, including New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, and Louisville. There are also active prison phone justice campaigns in Hawaii, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, and more.
“After many years of struggle led by directly affected people, we are delighted to see this pass,” said Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts Senior Attorney Bonnie Tenneriello. “PLS will do everything in our power to ensure that this legislation is implemented in a way that brings maximum access to vital communication between incarcerated people and their families.”
“Unitarian Universalist Mass Action celebrates this new policy that will guarantee free communication to those who are in prisons, jails, and ICE detention centers in MA,” said Tali Smookler, Congregational Organizing Director at Unitarian Universalist Mass Action. “As a UU group, our first principle is recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We uplift the work of all the organizers who have worked for years to make this a reality, and know that this will impact individuals, families, and our entire state for the better.”
“For too long, prison phone companies have profited off the backs of some of the most economically vulnerable families in Massachusetts," said Caroline Cohn, Equal Justice Works Fellow at the National Consumer Law Center. "We commend Massachusetts for joining the growing list of states that no longer force their residents to choose between paying the rent or speaking with their incarcerated loved one.”
“For too long, the poorest of the poor have been exploited through unconscionable phone rates so we applaud the MA Legislature for addressing this injustice,” said Pauline Quirion, Director of Greater Boston Legal Services CORI and Re-Entry Project. “Phone calls are a lifeline for those who are incarcerated and studies show contact with loved ones leads to more success upon release from prison or jail. This is a great day for all the impacted individuals and families who worked so very hard to pass this bill.”
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 tensions and violent incidents inside, making the carceral environment safer for both incarcerated people and correctional staff. Communication also helps people prepare for their release, helping them to secure housing, employment, and more. Moreover, communication benefits the entire family, especially parents, spouses, and children. For example, the one in 28 children with an incarcerated parent do better at home or in school when they are connected.
“We are thrilled that all people in prison and jail, including those detained for ICE, will now be able to stay in touch with their friends and families,” said Rachel Roth and June Rowe, members of Mystic Valley Action for Reproductive Justice. “Providing no cost communication is good family policy that redresses at least some of the racial, economic, and gender injustice of incarceration. Too many families, especially those headed by Black women and Latinas, have been shouldering the burden of overpriced calls to maintain relationships with loved ones. We look forward to the swift implementation of this important policy.”
“Thanks to the Massachusetts House and Senate, and Governor Healey for making no cost calls part of the state budget. The exploitation by private telecom corporations of the poorest families through the high costs of phone calls and other forms of communications has ended. Incarcerated people now will be able to speak to their children and other family members without fear of their families ending up in debt,” said Marlene Pollock, Co-Founder of the Coalition for Social Justice Education Fund. “Right now, families are forced to choose between contact with their loved ones and paying important bills like rent and utilities. Having this connection will help people maintain their ties to society and eliminate this barrier to successful re-entry.”
“Today, Governor Healey and the Massachusetts state legislature have eliminated the cost of phone and video calls for incarcerated people and their loved ones, marking a milestone in the movement to end the abusive power of prison profiteering,” said Michael Collins, Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs at Color Of Change. “Financial exploitation in our carceral systems has created barriers for families and their loved ones to stay connected, for the sake of gains by the state and corporations. The passage of this progressive legislation in Massachusetts sets a national standard for human rights for incarcerated people, a standard we urge other states to follow. Color Of Change and our partners celebrate this win for civil rights and will continue to move forward a powerful vision of a prison complex that puts first the humanity of incarcerated people.”
“Today, Governor Healey signed a budget which includes critical financial support for incarcerated people and their families,” said Bridget Kearney, community member at Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts. “Neighbor to Neighbor's member communities will see a direct positive impact from the ability to stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones, without the overwhelming financial burden previously placed on them by private telecom companies. When we eliminate barriers to connection, we ensure that our incarcerated brothers and sisters can remain in touch with their loved ones and reduce trauma on both sides of the wall.”
“Common Cause Massachusetts celebrates that the No Cost Calls measure has passed the legislature again after years of continued advocacy,” said Dev Chatterjee, Program and Outreach Manager at Common Cause Massachusetts. “Ensuring free phone calls in jails and prisons guarantees better access for people who wish to engage in their government, stay connected to their community, and become informed voters. We thank the House, Senate, and Governor for their leadership.”
“We are delighted to see the Governor and Legislature recognize the importance of ending the predatory practice of charging incarcerated individuals and their loved ones exorbitant fees to stay connected,” said Jonathan Cohn, Policy Director, Progressive Mass. “No family should have to choose between affording basic needs like rent or food and staying connected with loved ones. The victory for No Cost Calls is a win for families, a win for smoother re-entry, and a win for all people fighting for a more just commonwealth.”
The new law is backed by the Keep Families Connected / No Cost Calls coalition, which is made up of over 80 state and national organizations, including the African American Coalition Committee (MCI-Norfolk), Coalition for Social Justice, Color Of Change, Common Cause Massachusetts, National Consumer Law Center, Greater Boston Legal Services, Neighbor to Neighbor, Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts, Progressive Mass, UTEC, Unitarian Universalist Mass Action, BDSA, and Worth Rises.
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Worth Rises is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it targets. Follow @WorthRises on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.