OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS
Legislative Office Building, Room 5200
Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-0200
http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa
SB-972
AN ACT CONCERNING THE COST OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.
Primary Analyst: ME 4/13/21
Contributing Analyst(s):
Reviewer: PR
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $
Correction, Dept. GF - Cost None 3.5-4.5
million
Department of Emergency
Services and Public Protection;
Correction, Dept.; Judicial Dept.
Technical Services
Revolving Fund -
Revenue Loss
None 4.5-5.5
million
Correction, Dept. GF - Potential
Cost
None See Below
Correction, Dept. GF - Potential
Revenue Loss
None See Below
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill requires the Department of Correction (DOC) to provide
telephone services for inmates free of charge beginning October 1, 2022
and results in various costs and revenue losses to the state. Currently,
inmates pay for each call and a portion of that money compensates the
vendor for providing the service and the remainder goes to the state to
fund various programs.
Cost Impact:
It will cost DOC approximately $3.5 to $4.5 million to
compensate the vendor for the telephone services beginning 2021SB-00972-R000453-FN.DOCX Page 2 of 3
in FY 23
1
. The exact cost will depend on the inmate call
volume which could potentially increase due to the fees
being removed, inmate population which has been
decreasing in recent years, and any future adjustments to the
contract between the State and the vendor.
There is a potential cost to the extent the Commissioner of
DOC adds video communication and electronic mail services
for inmates because the bill dictates that these services shall
be free of charge
2
.
Revenue Impact:
The bill results in an approximate $4.5 to $5.5 million revenue
loss to the state in FY 23
3
. This money goes to DOC for
expanding inmate educational services and reentry program
initiatives, and the remainder pays for criminal justice
information system (in DESPP) and for probation staffing in
the Judicial Department.
There is a potential revenue loss to the extent the
Commissioner of DOC adds video communication and
electronic mail services for inmates because the bill prohibits
the DOC from receiving revenue for phone or
telecommunications services.
The Out Years
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 24 $ FY 25 $ FY 26 $
Correction, Dept.
(DOC88000)
GF - Cost 4.5-5.5
million
4.5-5.5
million
4.5-5.5
million
Department of
Emergency
Services and
Technical Services
Revolving Fund -
Revenue Loss
6-7 million 6-7 million 6-7 million
1
The FY 23 cost reflects 9 months due to the October 1, 2022 start date.
2
Tablets are currently provided to a limited number of inmates. Some of the services
on the tablets are provided free of charge while others have a cost.
3
The FY 23 revenue loss reflects 9 months due to the October 1, 2022 start date. 2021SB-00972-R000453-FN.DOCX Page 3 of 3
Public Protection
(DPS32000);
Correction, Dept.
(DOC88000);
Judicial Dept.
(JUD95000)
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
The annualized cost for paying the vendor for telephone services is
approximately $4.5 to $5.5 million per year and the annualized
revenue loss is $6 to $7 million per year. The exact cost and revenue
loss will depend on the inmate call volume which could potentially
increase due to the fees being removed, inmate population which has
been decreasing in recent years, and any future adjustments to the
contract between the State and the vendor.