Chairman Pai Response to Senators Regarding Inmate Calling Services and Keep Americans Connected Pledge

On April 15, 2020, 19 senators wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge the FCC to immediately call on telecommunications providers serving law enforcement facilities across the nation to provide free phone calls and video visitations to incarcerated and detained individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On May 12, Chairman Pai responded by describing the Keep Americans Connected Pledge and saying he was especially glad to see that the country's two largest inmate calling services providers — Securus and GTL — are among the providers that recently signed onto the FCC's pledge. He said the providers have been providing millions of free phone calls and video visitation minutes to inmates and their families during the pandemic. He also said he has called on other communications providers serving correctional facilities to work to reduce costs and keep Americans connected, including those who are incarcerated.