New York Prison Inmates to Receive Free Phone Calls Starting August 1

In a major policy shift, incarcerated individuals in New York State will soon be able to make phone calls free of charge. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced that the new rule will go into effect on August 1.

Under this policy, inmates will be allowed to make free calls using prison-provided phones or their personal tablets. Until now, prisoners and their families had to pay for each call, which advocacy groups described as an “unusual financial burden,” especially for low-income households.

Human rights organizations, who have long pushed for more affordable inmate communication, welcomed the decision, calling it a “humane and necessary step.” They argue that maintaining contact with family supports mental health and aids in successful rehabilitation.

In an official statement, the corrections department noted that the goal is to strengthen family bonds, improve emotional well-being, and support reentry efforts.

The change is expected to benefit more than 30,000 incarcerated individuals across the state.