The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be considering a proposal on Tuesday to implement free phone calls for jail inmates by December 1.
Supervisors Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell believe that providing easier access to phone calls for inmates is crucial in reducing the rate of recidivism and minimizing misconduct in jails by reducing anxiety and tension.
The motion emphasizes that offering free phone calls in county jails will alleviate the financial burden on families who have been unfairly affected by the incarceration of their loved ones. It argues against penalizing families for simply being associated with inmates.
Two years ago, the board discussed the possibility of free inmate calls and initiated an audit of inmate welfare funds to ensure that the money generated from these calls is being used to benefit inmate recovery and rehabilitation programs, as required.
The motion acknowledges reports suggesting that these funds have been used to address plumbing issues, such as leaking toilets, which should be covered by the sheriff’s department budget and not inmate funds.
In addition to mandating free inmate calls by December 1, the motion also calls for collaboration between the sheriff, CEO, Civilian Oversight Commission, and Sybil Brand Commission to develop a written implementation program and funding proposal within 90 days. This program aims to provide more diverse programming that can be equitably accessed by incarcerated individuals.
The motion emphasizes that the cost of phone calls should not determine whether or not L.A. County offers free phone calls to incarcerated individuals. Regardless of the revenue generated, it is still the responsibility of LASD to provide programming and maintain the jails where inmates reside. Prioritizing profits over people goes against the principle of “care first.”
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