racer254 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 In Wisconsin a couple of counties are allowing inmates free phone calls, up to 30 minutes per day, not that the phone call is free, but the taxpayers will now pay the bill rather than the inmate or inmate's family. BTW, here are the costs in various Wisconsin counties. https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/crime/2021/08/09/jail-phone-calls-many-wisconsin-counties-profit-but-at-inmates-cost/7966577002/ Thoughts? https://lacrossetribune.com/chp/news/local/eau-claire-chippewa-sheriffs-leaders-skeptical-on-free-phone-plan-in-jails/article_d91f555e-6ff9-11ed-bb3a-83a823b747b0.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Highmark Posted November 30, 2022 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted November 30, 2022 Nope...not on the taxpayers dime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crnr2Crnr Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 10 minutes ago, racer254 said: In Wisconsin a couple of counties are allowing inmates free phone calls, up to 30 minutes per day, not that the phone call is free, but the taxpayers will now pay the bill rather than the inmate or inmate's family. BTW, here are the costs in various Wisconsin counties. https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/crime/2021/08/09/jail-phone-calls-many-wisconsin-counties-profit-but-at-inmates-cost/7966577002/ Thoughts? https://lacrossetribune.com/chp/news/local/eau-claire-chippewa-sheriffs-leaders-skeptical-on-free-phone-plan-in-jails/article_d91f555e-6ff9-11ed-bb3a-83a823b747b0.html Opposed, very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainecat Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 (edited) They should issue one cell phone to each cell block to the biggest bad ass and let prison capitalism get to work. Edited November 30, 2022 by Mainecat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 100% opposed to this being a taxpayer burden, but also ... WTF is up with the dramatic differences in the "First Minute" charges? From 11 cents to $5+ ??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepr2 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 6 minutes ago, Mainecat said: They should issue one cell phone to each cell block to the biggest bad ass and let prison capitalism get to work. Great idea, there’s no possibility of violence because it’s a gun free society 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalina Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 (edited) There is no reason why the prison could not install some VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phones. Once they are installed, calls are free. Lots of companies use this technology today, it isn't a big deal. I would have to think that it costs almost as much, or more to collect the money for the calls as the per minute rate, which means that by the time the money is collected, there is still a cost for the inmates to make the calls. With a VIOP setup, there is an upfront cost. Then the inmates could call whoever they want (of course the calls would be limited by number/time), there would be no admin costs other than tracking the time, which is already happening. Edited November 30, 2022 by Catalina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 11 minutes ago, Bontz said: 100% opposed to this being a taxpayer burden, but also ... WTF is up with the dramatic differences in the "First Minute" charges? From 11 cents to $5+ ??? Those expensive counties probably only have one phone company, allowing them to jack up prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSFB Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Just now, Catalina said: There is no reason why the prison could not install some VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phones. Once they are installed, calls are free. Lots of companies use this technology today, it isn't a big I would have to think that it costs almost as much, or more to collect the money for the calls as the per minute rate, which means that by the time the money is collected, there is still a cost for the inmates to make the calls. With a VIOP setup, there is an upfront cost. Then the inmates could call whoever they want (of course the calls would be limited by number/time), there would be no admin costs other than tracking the time, which is already happening. You still have to have a connection into a telco network unless the people you are calling also have IP phones that are on the same system. You can't just buy some IP phones and expect it to work calling any other phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Inmates that stay in touch with family and outside support have less of a chance of reoffending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Bontz said: 100% opposed to this being a taxpayer burden, but also ... WTF is up with the dramatic differences in the "First Minute" charges? From 11 cents to $5+ ??? It’s money making for the counties. They make thousands of dollars on phone calls by inmates. Of course the sheriffs are against it. Cuts into their budgets. https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/crime/2021/08/09/jail-phone-calls-many-wisconsin-counties-profit-but-at-inmates-cost/7966577002/ Edited November 30, 2022 by ActionfigureJoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Member BOHICA Posted November 30, 2022 Gold Member Share Posted November 30, 2022 24 minutes ago, Bontz said: 100% opposed to this being a taxpayer burden, but also ... WTF is up with the dramatic differences in the "First Minute" charges? From 11 cents to $5+ ??? Incarceration is a 100% tax payer burden program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 1 minute ago, BOHICA said: Incarceration is a 100% tax payer burden program. That’s not entirely true. Inmates released under the Huber Law (work release) pay room and board. As do those on GPS monitoring under house arrest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Member BOHICA Posted November 30, 2022 Gold Member Share Posted November 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, ActionfigureJoe said: That’s not entirely true. Inmates released under the Huber Law (work release) pay room and board. As do those on GPS monitoring under house arrest. How much do they pay? House arrest people should pay for there house arrest. I would hope they pay for their own rent and mortgages. They likely have their own cell phone as well? Right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 How do you guys still pay by the minute? I've got unlimited everything from coast to coast. Somebody getting greased palms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer254 Posted November 30, 2022 Author Share Posted November 30, 2022 (edited) 1 minute ago, Voodoo said: How do you guys still pay by the minute? I've got unlimited everything from coast to coast. Somebody getting greased palms? Bingo. And they want the taxpayers on the hook for it, because that's way easier money to get rather than getting it from the inmates and their families. Watch the money being brought in. When the family is on the hook, magically people get a little tight with their own $$$, but now that it is taxpayer money.....watch out. Edited November 30, 2022 by racer254 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticCrusher Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 6 minutes ago, Voodoo said: How do you guys still pay by the minute? I've got unlimited everything from coast to coast. Somebody getting greased palms? It's OK to extort prisoners with 1980 style hotel phone charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 1 hour ago, BOHICA said: How much do they pay? House arrest people should pay for there house arrest. I would hope they pay for their own rent and mortgages. They likely have their own cell phone as well? Right? The county I was living in charged those getting out of jail for work $200 weekly. Anyone with work privileges following Covid had to be on house arrest. They were charged the same. Counties make big bucks on inmates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Member EvilBird Posted November 30, 2022 Gold Member Share Posted November 30, 2022 4 minutes ago, ActionfigureJoe said: The county I was living in charged those getting out of jail for work $200 weekly. Anyone with work privileges following Covid had to be on house arrest. They were charged the same. Counties make big bucks on inmates. Prison is Big Business . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalina Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Maybe the VIOP thing is a bit more complex than I was aware of. But - my point is that I think the prisons should take advantage of whatever technology is available. If the cost is low enough, just absorb it, not worth the admin costs to collect the money. I don't think that the prisons should be making money on this. It's reasonable to expect the prisoners to pay their fair share, but steps should be taken to minimize the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoughnut Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 2 hours ago, ActionfigureJoe said: Inmates that stay in touch with family and outside support have less of a chance of reoffending. Fine but the stupid offenders and their families can pay for their own phone calls. If they can't afford it well then too fucking bad, fuck criminals. Don't want to do the time or spend the dime then don't do the crime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ActionfigureJoe Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 12 minutes ago, snoughnut said: Fine but the stupid offenders and their families can pay for their own phone calls. If they can't afford it well then too fucking bad, fuck criminals. Don't want to do the time or spend the dime then don't do the crime. Yeah!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deephaven Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 Let them earn their calls. First they can work to pay off the cost of their incarceration and if anything is left feel free to let them apply it to phone calls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted November 30, 2022 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted November 30, 2022 14 minutes ago, snoughnut said: Fine but the stupid offenders and their families can pay for their own phone calls. If they can't afford it well then too fucking bad, fuck criminals. Don't want to do the time or spend the dime then don't do the crime. 1 minute ago, ActionfigureJoe said: Yeah!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticCrusher Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 50 minutes ago, Catalina said: Maybe the VIOP thing is a bit more complex than I was aware of. But - my point is that I think the prisons should take advantage of whatever technology is available. If the cost is low enough, just absorb it, not worth the admin costs to collect the money. I don't think that the prisons should be making money on this. It's reasonable to expect the prisoners to pay their fair share, but steps should be taken to minimize the cost. They have to record all their calls so an open voip system won't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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