The incarcerated people’s communications services (IPCS) market is currently under the control of a small group of companies. The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division has submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), advocating for new rules that would introduce more competition into this market.
According to a press release from the Justice Department, these comments were filed to assist the FCC in implementing the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. The department offered suggestions on regulatory safeguards that could enhance competition, align market incentives better, and reduce costs.
The press release also highlighted the importance of communication for inmates' well-being and their families. It pointed out that due to the IPCS market being dominated by a limited number of corporations, prison and jail phone calls tend to be low quality and expensive. This situation often forces up to one-third of families with incarcerated members into debt due to costly phone calls and prison visits.
In its comment, the department noted that Securus and Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a Viapath Technologies have controlled over 50% of the IPCS market for at least a decade. New entrants face numerous challenges such as bearing upfront infrastructure installation costs or lacking a proven record of providing services to correctional facilities.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division stated in a press release, "Telephone services are a lifeline between incarcerated people and the outside world." He further added, "Regular and reliable communication keeps families connected and reduces recidivism after release. I applaud the FCC for its work over the past decade to make rates and charges for incarcerated people’s communications services more fair, just, and reasonable. We encourage the FCC to build on this work as it considers new rules in this area."
