# Free prison calls show lower costs, better outcomes in new report  
**Published:** 2026-05-13T12:20:51.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/13/repub/free-prison-jail-calls-linked-to-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/free-prison-calls-show-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report

A growing number of incarcerated people across the country now have access to free phone calls and other communication services, a shift that advocates say strengthens family connections, improves prison conditions and eases reentry after release, according to [reporting from the Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/13/repub/free-prison-jail-calls-linked-to-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report/).

A new report from Worth Rises, a nonprofit that advocates in opposition to the prison industry, found that an estimated 330,000 incarcerated people nationwide now have access to free prison or jail communication services, including phone calls, video calls and electronic messaging in some jurisdictions. The group examined six prison systems — California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and the federal prison system — along with more than a dozen county jail systems, including facilities in Los Angeles, New York City and across Massachusetts.

The researchers found that the free communication policies reduced average costs by about 62% for state prison systems and 68% for jails after agencies negotiated contracts directly with providers. The findings suggest significant financial savings for states and local governments considering the policy shift.

The free communication policies have generated nearly 600 million additional phone calls and 6.4 billion more minutes of connection between incarcerated people and their loved ones. In prisons included in the study, average daily call use per person increased from about 25 minutes to nearly 45 minutes after communication became free. In jails, daily usage increased from about 26.7 minutes to 56.7 minutes per person.

The report also found that a disproportionate share of savings has benefited Black and brown families, who are more heavily impacted by incarceration. Families saved an estimated $622 million after jurisdictions eliminated communication charges, and many families redirected those savings toward housing, debt payments, and other household expenses.

Correctional staff reported reduced tension and fewer conflicts following the implementation of free communication policies, with 79 percent of incarcerated individuals describing positive changes in the facility environment. Incarcerated parents used expanded communication access to help children with homework and maintain relationships, while stronger communication networks also helped incarcerated people prepare for parole hearings, employment, housing, and treatment programs before release.

"When jurisdictions make correctional communication free, incarcerated people emerge from isolation and recommit to their own rehabilitation," said Bianca Tylek, executive director of Worth Rises and co-author of the report.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/13/repub/free-prison-jail-calls-linked-to-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report/)
- [Stateline - Free prison, jail calls linked to lower costs, better outcomes in new report](https://stateline.org/2026/05/13/free-prison-jail-calls-linked-to-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report/)
- [Worth Rises - Critical Connections Report](https://worthrises.org/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/13/repub/free-prison-jail-calls-linked-to-lower-costs-better-outcomes-in-new-report/.