New Jersey Assembly Bill A3988

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/24
• Refer: 3/7/24

Caption

Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

Impact

The bill's implications on state laws are significant, as it will require all correctional facilities to waive fees associated with telecommunication services. This means any existing contracts for these services will have to be adjusted so that facilities cannot accept commissions or impose surcharges for the use of voice communication, video communication, or electronic mail. By mandating these changes, the bill aims to alleviate the financial burden placed on the families of incarcerated individuals, who often face steep fees for maintaining communication with their loved ones.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3988 seeks to provide free telecommunication services, including telephone calls, video calls, and electronic mail, to incarcerated individuals in state, county, and private correctional facilities across New Jersey. This legislation amends previous laws that allowed correctional facilities to charge up to 11 cents per minute for calls. The primary objective of the bill is to ensure that both sending and receiving parties can communicate without financial barriers, thereby promoting stronger family connections during incarceration.

Contention

While the intent behind A3988 is to enhance family connections and support successful re-entry for incarcerated persons, there may be points of contention regarding the implementation and impact on correctional facility budgets. Critics could argue that removing financial incentives for telecommunication providers could result in reduced service quality or availability. Additionally, concerns may arise about the security and management of telecommunication services in correctional environments, particularly with the potential increase in communication volume among incarcerated individuals. The effectiveness of this bill in achieving its goals will largely depend on the execution and oversight by the Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission.