Bristol County Sheriff Challenges Unlimited Inmate Call Policy Amid Rising Costs

DARTMOUTH, Mass. WPRI — In Massachusetts, inmates currently have free and unlimited access to phone calls. However, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is concerned about the high cost of this service.

The Massachusetts Department of Corrections believes that allowing inmates to stay connected with their families helps improve their rehabilitation and reduces the chance of reoffending. While Heroux agrees with the importance of family connections, he argues for setting limits on the number of calls.

Staying connected with family is crucial for inmates reintegrating into society, Heroux said. However, we need a balance when it comes to unlimited calls.

At Bristol County jail, inmates can make calls between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Each call costs 8 cents per minute, and the total cost to the jail could reach $5 million annually, which is half of the state’s funding for this service.

Although most inmates use the calls to stay in touch with family, some have used them for illegal activities like drug dealing, witness intimidation, or victim harassment, according to Heroux.

To manage the increased call volume, Bristol County jail has hired three additional analysts to monitor the calls.

The Department of Corrections stated that it is committed to funding and supporting the program. However, Heroux worries that the high costs might lead to the program being cut. He suggests implementing limits, such as 20 minutes per day or 35 minutes every other day, as a more practical solution.

Heroux is also exploring negotiations with the communications company to reduce costs, noting that calls are cheaper in other Massachusetts counties.

Advocates for inmate calls need to be willing to find a compromise, Heroux said. Unlimited calls at taxpayers’ expense may lead to more pressure on the legislature to revisit the law. While family calls are important, they don’t need to be unlimited.