CenturyLink calls for a 5-step process to reform prison calling rates

CenturyLink has outlined to the Federal Communications Commission a five-step plan intended to reform the inmate calling services (ICS) rules. In a filing with the FCC, CenturyLink said that any reform to ICS rules should include:

Uniform rate cap: The ICS rules should include a uniform rate cap that applies to for both interstate and intrastate calls, with a slightly higher cap for collect calls.

Limiting ancillary fees: CenturyLink said that the FCC should prohibit all but a small class of specified ancillary fees, while adopting a schedule of allowable fees and related policies such as account funding minimums and maximums. In addition, CenutrLink asked that the FCC specify that consumers can get a refund on any unused prepaid amounts on request and at no cost.

Commission limits: Prisons and jails incur their own costs in providing ICS, so these entities should have the option to require ICS providers to pay them commissions.

Separate treatment for uniquely high-cost facilities: Other facilities like juvenile detention, mental health facilities and small jails are expensive for ICS providers to serve because they have low call volume. At the same time, CenutryLink said that the facilities should not have to pay a large piece of ancillary fees.

Transition existing ICS arrangements: The FCC should give correctional facilities and ICS providers a "reasonable transition time" to shift to the new rule structure so they can avoid potential service disruptions or consumer account management.