State Corrections Officials Seek New Phone Service For Inmates

State corrections officials are updating the telephone service available to Massachusetts prison inmates.

The current service is prohibitively expensive, prompting the search for a new contract provider.

Bonnie Tenneriello, with Prisoners' Legal Services, says it's about time the Department of Correction made it affordable for inmates to call their families.

"We take the DOC at its word that it's looking for lower calling rates for prisoners because hopefully the DOC realizes that contact with family is essential to reentry," Tenneriello said. "Family ties help guarantee success."

The current phone service provider charges prisoners $3 to initiate a phone call.