ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) 鈥 New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday.
People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost 2.4 cents a minute.
The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a that said 鈥渋mproved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities.鈥
"Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial 鈥 not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual鈥檚 outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism," said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
New York City jails have offered since 2019. was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models.
The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
