Ex-FCC Commissioners Push for Free ICS, Citing Coronavirus

Help incarcerated citizens stay connected with 60 days of free calls in facilities under contract to Securus, three former FCC commissioners wrote Tom Gores, founder of Platinum Equity, which controls the inmate calling services provider. "While the phone justice movement has been long advocating for rate reform, the cruel ramifications of COVID-19 are a stark reminder of how onerous the inmate calling system is and why rate relief is needed now," Democrats Mignon Clyburn, Michael Copps and Gloria Tristani wrote. Securus would be “happy to brief” commissioners “on the steps we’ve taken to keep communications tools accessible while still protecting public safety,” a spokesperson emailed us Wednesday. “Since March 13, we have provided incarcerated Americans with more than 10 million free phone calls and millions of free video connections and digital messages. We were also proud to commit to the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge.” Advocacy groups made similar requests in March (see 2003300022). Congress is considering legislation capping inmate calling service rates (see 2005130059).