Phone calls from jail will soon be free for inmates for New York City. Pix 11 reports NYC council approved a bill and is headed to the desk of Mayor Bill de Blasio for a signature of approval.
The bill is sponsored by Speaker Corey Johnson and the population of Rikers Island and other jails within the city would no longer have to pay to reach out to family, friends and other people connected to them.
“Families and friends of incarcerated individuals should not have to choose between hearing from their loved ones and paying their bills just because these individuals cannot afford to pay for phone calls,” Johnson said. “Introduction 741-A will guarantee that individuals who are in custody in our jails do not have to pay to stay in touch with the people who support them and ensure the City does not make any money off these phone calls.”
The bill was supported by former city councilman David Greenfield and shared the story of a mother who sold food stamps for her children to be able to afford phone calls to their jailed father.
The new bill would save families $8 million yearly.
