A new watchdog report details how N.J.’s incarcerated population is being denied fair phone call access

New Jersey’s incarcerated population is being denied fair phone call access, according to a report by state watchdog. The report states that phone access can be revoked as disciplinary punishment for not following orders or assault, reasons unrelated to behavior while using the phone, for an arbitrary amount of time. The report recommends that lawmakers lift this disciplinary policy and comes amid pending legislation to suspend all telecommunication charges. Prison telecommunications services rake in $1.4 billion annually, and providers like JPay charge incarcerated people nearly $10 for a 30-minute video visit and 35 cents per email.

From NJ Spotlight News.