You asked about the contract to provide inmate phone services, how much calls cost inmates, and how much the state receives under the contract.

The Department of Information Technology (DOIT) contracts with telephone companies to provide inmate phone services in Department of Correction (DOC) facilities. According to DOC, the current contract with Global Tel*Link Corp. expired in July 2008 but was extended for up to three years or until DOIT obtains a new contract, whichever occurs first.

Calling rates are set in the contract negotiated with the vender by DOIT on behalf of DOC. Currently, inmates can make collect calls or use a debit/prepaid calling system. According to DOC, rates charged for inmate calls are higher than collect call rates for the general public because additional technology is required to manage the inmate phone system. Among other things, DOC states that this technology must verify that a number is on an inmate's allowable call list, provide notices to callers (e.g. that the call is from a prison and will be monitored), enforce time limits for calls, track data about calls, record calls, and allow live monitoring of calls.

Table one displays information provided by DOC on the two types of call rates.

Table 1: Inmate Collect-Call and Debit/Pre-Paid Collect Call Rates

DOIT provided information on the amounts received under the contract for inmate phone services and how that money was used. The state received approximately $4.6 million under the contract in FY 07 but a breakdown of how the money was distributed was not readily available. Table 2 displays the information provided by DOIT for the last three fiscal years, including the total amount received under the contract in each fiscal year and how the money was distributed.

Table 2: Amount Received and Distributed under Inmate Phone Services Contracts in the Last Three Fiscal Years

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