By Bob Katzen

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on legislation that would ban no cost phone calls for incarcerated violent criminals who have been found guilty of rape of a child, first degree murder, second degree murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, assault and battery on second offense, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, arson, stalking and armed robbery.

“Unlimited phone calls for violent criminals in prison means that murderers can freely call their loved ones while the loved ones of their victims will never talk to their murdered child or spouse again,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “These phone calls allow criminals to communicate with their network of associates and continue criminal activity even while incarcerated. It is primarily for these reasons that I authored this legislation to eliminate no cost calls for violent criminals.”