comment: >
  
  JPay is a fucking scam and should never be allowed to operate in a state-run institution.
context: I spent 6 years in prison, and THIS was the majority of the reason we smuggled in cell phones. It wasn't illicit activities, or that we were afraid our conversations were being recorded, it was just so we could stay in contact with our loved ones. >
  
  Prison system is so disgusting and parasitic. I remember going to visit my buddy and depositing money for him so his family and I could speak with him. Basically, the prison is shaking down prisoners' family and visitors. Truly revolting that it is even constitutional. >
  
  It's about time.  In a day and age when there are no longer long distance charges and when the recording of inmate conversations is digital and automated there is no reason at all for there to be any charge.  Let inmates maintain relationships with family and friends on the outside. >
  
  Agreed. American greed at it's lowest. >
  
  Until you lift the next rock and find something lower >
  
  We still use pesticides that were banned in the rest of the world because they've been proven to cause brain damage in children many miles away from where they're used. Because using those pesticides shaves a fraction of a percentage off of costs. >
  
  
  One reason for high rates is that jails and prisons typically develop an exclusive contract with one telecommunications company. That means incarcerated people and their families are stuck with one provider even if the company charges high rates.
  Another factor is site commissions, or kickbacks that county sheriffs or state corrections departments receive. Some local officials argue that site commissions are crucial to fund staff who will monitor inmate phone calls for any threats to the community.
  
  It’s completely the kickbacks. The DOCs put the contracts out for bid, and they select the telecom provider based on the size of the kickbacks. The DOC rigs the system then lets the telecom provider take the blame for the high rates. The kickbacks need to be banned if this is ever going to be fair. >
  
  You mean it’s a monopoly. Got it >
  
  This is important. You have a loved one in prison and these fucking vulture companies can legally steal from you. >
  
  I was in county jail for a night because I called the cops on my ex for assaulting me. After my initial call I couldnt call my parents. One of the scariest experiences of my life and it felt so unfair. >
  
  I was stupid enough to have experienced some jail time in a past life. Where I was, the inmates used to cook food that was donated by nearby farms and also received food that was nearly expired from grocery stores. Instead of just throwing all that food away, it was put to good use.
  When I was there they no longer did that, instead the jail had contracted with Aramark for food. I highly doubt the food met nutritional requirements for human consumption. It was like coagulated saw dust. If you wanted ANY seasoning or salt, you could but a Raman from commissary for $1.50 and use the seasoning from it.
  As a taxpayer my experience was frustrating as the obvious corruption and greed of this system was something I was actually paying for. 
  I work in an industry that uses uniform companies and I will NEVER do business with Aramark. I also make sure to let everyone else I know in the buisness not to use them either, and why.
  As to the phone thing, it was laughable. I'm glad to see this in the news and really hope lawmakers cut the balls off these unconscionable predatory companies. I also hope they can start looking up the chain of who all is making money from this shit. All these companies are absolute bottom feeders that offer NOTHING for society except to exploit people who are at their worst. >
  
  The facility I was at previously had garden plots inmates could purchase for a few bucks. When the warden changed, the new person in charge immediately ended that program to replace it with regular grass that was now considered “out of bounds”. 
  They did keep some raised beds garden that a few individuals had access to for their “horticulture program” but any vegetables grown were donated to the woman’s facility. I got lucky in that I am Native American and one of inmates in charge of the program was also native. They would bring back onions, green peppers, tomatoes and cilantro on a regular basis. So thankful I Had family support and was able to cook up real food on a fairly regular basis. 
  Aramark is straight up garbage >
  
  But what about the poor companies that gouge the inmates. /s
  This is a good start, next need to lower commissary, pay prison inmate employment better wages. >
  
  I used to pay 1.20 $ for a single ramen in county that was $0.20 in Walmart when I got out. 3.60 for my monthly treat, a Snickers bar. Roughly $1.20 at the store. You get a 2000 calorie diet, dinner at 4pm, no saving leftovers. >
  
  I did a 90 day stint in county, followed by 5 years of probation in Arkansas in 2010 for possession of cannabis with intent to distribute..At the time, the jail didn’t have commissary or hot food. Anyways, they often served hard boiled eggs and salsa for breakfast. I would trade and fill up a whole tube sock with eggs to snack on when we were locked down. >
  
  Ain’t no man can eat 50 eggs. >
  
  Why you got to go and say fifty eggs for? Why not thirty-five, or thirty-nine? >
  
  Oh my god what a joke of a company. I work with incarcerated people and Securus “video” calls involve TINY, low-res screens with horribly unreliable audio quality. It’s like it’s intentionally bad. Not to mention the tragedy that after covid, tons of facilities have done away with in-person visits entirely in favor of video calls from terminals in the lobby. The low quality is sinful if you ask me. >
  
  They got rid of  in-person visits because of Covid but they were generous enough to now give you 1 free 15 min phone call a month. >
  
  Inmates shouldn’t be charged at all for phone calls. >
  
  Hey, now how can you fully institutionalize someone if they have hope or healthy connections intact outside. They need repeat customers for maximum profit, and what better way to help them stay disconnected then making them a financial burden on loved ones...