By Bob Katzen
The House 28-128, rejected an amendment to a section of a $228 million fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget that provides $22.5 million to cover the additional costs associated with no cost calls for Massachusetts prisoners. The amendment would delay the distribution of this funding until the Secretary of Administration and Finance develops and presents a plan to keep the annual expenditure from this line item under $10 million.
“While Massachusetts prisoners are able to make unlimited phone calls free of charge, there is still a significant cost associated with this program for the sheriffs’ offices and the commonwealth,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Multiple sheriffs’ offices have testified that these costs are out of control and need to be reined in. This amendment would take steps to address this problem by making sure a plan is in place to cap expenses at no more than $10 million per year, which is still a significant number but is well below what the state is currently spending on the program.”
Opponents said that the No-Cost Calls Law works because when prisoners are able to communicate with their families and friends, the result is better success rates and less recidivism. They argued that this $22.5 million is wisely spent on this program and means the state would be able to spend less money on its criminal justice system.
(A “Yes” vote is for reducing the funding to $10 million. A “No” vote is against the $10 million reduction and favors the $22.5 million.)
Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No