Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak, Klobuchar, Durbin, and Colleagues Urge Administration to Waive Phone Fees for Incarcerated People And Ensure Access to Confidential Communications with Attorneys

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumental (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA),  Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote a letter urging the Administration to waive phone charges for incarcerated people to help families and loved ones remain in contact during the pandemic. As in-person visits at federal prisons have been suspended during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Senators also called on Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal to allow for confidential phone calls or video conferencing and email communications with legal counsel for the duration of BOP’s suspension of in-person visits at federal prisons. Currently, calls can cost up to 25 cents per minute in addition to fees charged each call, and calls are monitored by prison officials.