Updated: 5:11 PM PST March 2, 2021
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. County supervisors Tuesday unanimously voted to end the practice of charging jail inmates for phone calls and video visits. During its virtual meeting, the board also directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen-Robbins Meyer to restructure or terminate the existing contract with Securus Technologies.
County staff will develop a policy by May 4 that prohibits the county from generating revenue from these fees or from entering into agreements that charge inmates for communication services.
Under the current contract, Securus charges between 21 and 33 cents per minute for inmate calls. The company also charges $19.95 for a 20-minute video visitation and $2 per voice message.
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – County supervisors today unanimously voted to end the practice of charging jail inmates for phone calls and video visits.
During its virtual meeting, the board also directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen-Robbins Meyer to restructure or terminate the existing contract with Securus Technologies.
County staff will develop a policy by May 4 that prohibits the county from generating revenue from these fees or from entering into agreements that charge inmates for communication services.
Under the current contract, Securus charges between 21 and 33 cents per minute for inmate calls. The company also charges $19.95 for a 20-minute video visitation and $2 per voice message.