Idaho Prisons Decrease Inmate Call Costs

KUNA, Idaho (AP) — Idaho prisons have dropped the cost of inmates' calls from 14 cents to 11 cents per minute in response to a potential mandate from the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC said in 2013 that state and federal prison calls shouldn't exceed 14 cents a minute. That order is on hold because of a lawsuit filed in opposition to the change, but IDOC decided to move forward with the cost reduction anyway. The Idaho Press-Tribune reports the change went into effect last month.

Danielle Bothwell-Snyder is an inmate at the South Boise Women's Correctional Center. She says the lower rate makes it more affordable to stay in contact with her family.