By asahifile FCC Approves Rate Increases for Inmate Phone Services, Sparking Controversy
On October 28, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to increase the maximum rates that can be charged by prison and jail phone services, a decision that was met with dissent from some quarters. The 2-1 vote saw Republican commissioners pushing for higher limits while Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez voiced strong opposition, arguing the new rates would nearly double in certain facilities.
“The FCC is prioritizing the interests of monopoly service providers over vulnerable families who are trying to stay connected with their loved ones,” Gomez stated during the commission meeting. The recent order shifts methodology in calculating rate caps, including costs related to safety and security, which Gomez claims rewards corporations at the expense of families.
Earlier FCC actions had delayed implementing new rate caps, which were originally set in place to protect imprisoned individuals and their families from excessive phone fees. This latest decision, which also includes an additional charge of $0.02 per minute, is positioned by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr as an essential move to maintain vital communication services securely. Carr claimed that past FCC decisions were challenged in court, leading to uncertainty in setting sustainable rates.
Criticism Over Justifications
Commissioner Gomez and various inmate advocacy groups rejected the rationale offered for the new rates. They argued that the claimed “unintended consequences” of earlier rulings affecting phone services were exaggerated. For instance, only a single rural jail discontinued phone services, allegedly as a reaction to previous caps.
During the meeting, Gomez expressed concern over the FCC’s intentions, stating that the agency was serving the interests of a few corporations that had failed to provide data justifying the need for increased rates. “It’s alarming that the FCC chooses to overlook the compliance of many facilities with existing caps while accommodating demands from the industry,” she remarked.
Additional Costs and New Inflations Factors
The approvals come alongside a new inflation factor allowing further increases in rates, which many critics argue were added without adequate public notice or evidence of need. The inflation factor could lead to a significant rise in the costs of communication for inmates and their families, impacting their ability to maintain contact.
The FCC’s new frameworks will allow providers to recover costs for compliance with law enforcement and other supporting services — expenses that Gomez contends are unrelated to the actual provision of communication services for inmates. The new fees are designed to cover costs stemming from activities like monitoring communications and processing requests from law enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
The FCC’s recent vote to raise phone service rates for incarcerated individuals has stirred substantial controversy, revealing a deep divide between the interests of service providers and the welfare of families trying to communicate with loved ones in prison. As public comments are invited ahead of finalized rules, advocates for prisoners are urging closer scrutiny of both the motivations behind these changes and their broader implications for access to communication during incarceration.