Massachusetts becomes fifth state in nation to make prison calls free

Massachusetts will become the fifth state in the nation to make prison and jail calls free. Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signed a bill that will go into effect December 1, 2023. The move is a victory for advocates and legislators who have sought to lessen the burden on prisoners communicating for years. In July 2023, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a state budget that included a requirement for corrections officials to make phone calls free for incarcerated people, but Gov. Healey pushed back to give more time to implement the program. The new legislation also makes video and emails free. Counties will be refunded for their calls’ costs through a fund facilitated by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance. Telecommunication contracts with companies like Securus will continue until they expire, and will be renegotiated. When the law goes into effect, Massachusetts will join Connecticut, California, Minnesota and Colorado in eliminating prisoner phone call fees.