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Phone Calls to Get Cheaper at La. Prisons

The costs of many prison phone calls are set to drop over the next couple of years.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission agreed Wednesday to a revamped proposal that will shrink the price tag for prisoners to call home, after complaints that current rates were too high and burdensome on poor families.

The PSC unanimously agreed to cut the rates charged for prison calls by about 25 percent when a prisoner is calling family, legal counsel, clergy or certain government agencies like schools. All surcharges will be removed.

The changes will take effect in two years or when existing phone contracts expire at the prisons.

If prison officials believe they need to charge higher rates or add new fees, they'll have to make individual requests to the regulatory panel.

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