By Bob Katzen

Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill that beginning on December 1, 2023, will provide free phone calls and video calls for all prisoners in Massachusetts.

Currently there is no legal requirement for free phone calls in correctional facilities. Each facility contracts separately for telephone service.

“Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and improving community safety,” Healey said. “I’m proud to sign this important legislation.”

“Providing free phone calls in Massachusetts prisons and jails has been a longstanding priority of mine and I am thrilled to see the commonwealth recognize the importance of keeping families connected by codifying this reform into law,” said Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “By eliminating these excessive fees, we are helping families during an already traumatizing period of separation, improving public safety outcomes by reducing recidivism, and ultimately ending a regressive and outdated policy.”

At the time the Legislature approved the bill on November 8, Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) who opposed the measure said, “Every law abiding citizen that has a job and works 40 plus hours a week has to pay for phone calls. Why are criminals entitled to free phone calls? It’s completely ridiculous and absurd that Democrats are giving free anything to criminals. Criminals and their families should be paying for their phone calls, not taxpayers.”