Relating To Telephone Services For Committed Persons.
Impact
By prohibiting the Department of Public Safety from receiving site commissions and from entering into contracts with privately owned prison telephone service providers, SB369 aims to lower the cost of telephone calls for inmates. Current regulations from the Federal Communications Commission, which cap the cost of local and in-state calls to eleven cents per minute, support the intent of this legislation. The passage of SB369 could significantly improve access to communication for committed persons, fostering family connections that are critical for successful reintegration into society post-incarceration.
Summary
SB369 is a legislative proposal aimed at reforming telephone services for committed persons in the state of Hawaii. The bill seeks to eliminate commission payments that the Department of Public Safety currently receives from private telecommunications providers based on telephone usage by inmates. This bill arose from concerns about the high costs of phone calls made by incarcerated individuals, which can reach up to $13.30 for a fifteen-minute call, placing financial burdens on the families of these individuals, many of whom are already in difficult economic situations. The bill emphasizes the importance of keeping communication lines open between inmates and their families to help reduce recidivism rates.
Contention
The bill's main points of contention revolve around the potential loss of revenue that the Department of Public Safety has historically received from these commission payments, which, while not a primary source of funding, have amounted to significant amounts over the years. Critics may argue that eliminating these payments could affect the department's budget or resources. However, advocates for the bill maintain that the social and psychological benefits of facilitating inmate communication far outweigh the loss of this revenue. As the bill moves through discussions in the legislature, the balance between budgetary constraints and the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and their families remains a focal point.