Beginning August 1, New York will eliminate all charges for phone calls made by people incarcerated in state prisons, officials announced Tuesday.
Currently, inmates receive three free 15-minute calls per week. Beyond that, they are charged 2.4 cents per minute. But under the new policy, all calls — regardless of duration or frequency — will be completely free.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) said the change is aimed at strengthening family ties and improving rehabilitation outcomes. In a statement, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello emphasized the impact of communication on inmate behavior and reentry success:
“Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual’s outcomes while incarcerated and upon returning to society, thus reducing recidivism.”
The department also noted that the cost of this policy is already accounted for in its existing operating budget.
New York City jails have provided free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut became the first state to implement such a policy statewide, with a few others following suit.
The move is part of a growing national trend aimed at easing the financial burden on incarcerated individuals and their families while promoting stronger support networks during and after imprisonment.
