Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores speaks about controversy over Securus
Kelly Schaeffer worries there might come a time when she can t afford to talk to her teenage son in jail.
The 44-year-old mother estimates she spends $100 a month for her son to call her every other day from the Muskegon County Jail, which contracts with Securus Technologies to provide telecommunication services. Schaeffer says these conversations are central to maintaining their connection as her son serves a year-long jail sentence.
Schaeffer was laid off and out of work for most of the pandemic and managed the cost of calls on her husband s salary. But at $3.15 for a 15-minute call, plus fees to add money to her prepaid account and to accept collect calls from time to time, the charges add up fast. Schaeffer said she recently found a job, but money is still tight.