Help connect Minnesota families with incarcerated loved ones

In May 2023, Minnesota became the fourth state in the country to pass legislation to make all prison calls free, saving families $4.5 million annually. This was an historical victory, but more remains to be done.

Incarcerated people and their families in the state are still paying exorbitant amounts to stay in touch via video-calls and e-messages. While these services have long been free on the outside, prison telecom vendor Securus charges incarcerated people in Minnesota $3.50 for a 15-minute video call and $0.40 for an e-message.

These predatory rates are not just separating families, including children from their parents, but negatively impacting correctional staff and public safety. Incarcerated people who are in contact with their community are more likely to have hope, participate in rehabilitative programs, engage in positive behaviors while inside, and reenter society successfully upon release. Making communication free is the most cost-effective, evidence-based program a prison could institute.

We should be encouraging communication and connecting families, not exploiting it and tearing them apart. Senate Bill 4387 and House Bill 4438 would make all communication free for incarcerated people in Minnesota’s prisons. The bills need a small budget appropriation. With your support we can get an appropriation in the legislative budget and get these bills passed. 

Tell your elected representative that it’s time to protect Minnesota’s families and promote public safety. Let’s finish the job and make all prison communication free in our state. Send an email and Tweet at your state elected officials to protect families and promote public safety by making all prison communication free in Minnesota.