comment: >
  
  Okay maybe they should charge 10x more than they do on the outside then instead of 100x or 1000x
context: It should be free. Inmates have no freedom. The govt is in absolute control of them. Things like food, water, toiletries, etc are the responsibility of the govt. It isn't as if a prison inmate can choose to get a part time job to pay for anything. >
  
  I wouldn't mind if it was like making a normal payphone call, but my understanding is that it is a lot more expensive.  Inmates need to be rehabilitated, not just punished. Being able to talk with family is important for their mental health as well >
  
  Every inmate telephone I've used required two way recording and a disclaimer about it. Many only allow inmates to call people on pre approved lists. 
  Some also have features to disconnect a call if a three way call is attempted.
  My opinion, usually the phone area is crowded, dirty, broken, disconnected, and sometimes dangerous. Affordable and convenient phone communication will always be expensive. I haven't been incarcerated for a long time, and I've seen stuff like JPay emails and messages that are probably a much better way to communicate. I think the best solution is to stop arresting so many people. I did a a whole week of grand jury recently and 90% of crimes were so ridiculous. Small drug possessions of people who are already in a desperate or bad place, easy to target they can't keep up on normal life priorities. Also petty arguments and chronically repeat domestic offenses of a push or scratch. There were 2 total cases that were actually bad people who needed to be put away, and both were long periods of sexual abuse that could have been stopped,  but guess what, the police were to busy arresting Jimmy for his late registration and .001 burnt weed crumb on his seat.