Celebrating one year of free phone calls at the Alachua County Jail 

Last week, Community Spring staff attended a national conference on fines and fees justice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Representatives from more than 50 jurisdictions across over 25 states gathered to discuss ways to reform the fines and fees that unfairly trap incarcerated people and their families in debt. While the conference highlighted the work that remains, it was also a reminder that many jurisdictions are still striving for reforms that Alachua County has already achieved.

October 1st marked one year since Alachua County started allowing people incarcerated at the local jail to make free phone calls. This was part of a broader series of reforms that we, alongside our partners, fought for, including the end of locally imposed fees at the jail and the Court Services department for things like medical treatment and participation in community service.

Before these reforms, families faced unconscionably high costs just to stay connected with their loved ones at the Alachua County Jail. A single 15-minute call each day used to cost families $95 per month. The per-minute rate was the highest amount allowed under federal regulation. Under the contract with Securus, Alachua County was receiving a portion of these inflated fees—an exploitative arrangement that, in any other government context, would be considered a kickback. In short, the situation was deeply unfair for families and isolating for people in the jail.

A Year of Connection and Support

Since its launch, the free and unlimited phone call initiative at the Alachua County Jail has had a profound impact on incarcerated individuals and their families. By removing the financial barriers to communication, the policy has allowed thousands of people to maintain vital connections with their loved ones, make critical reentry plans, and preserve their financial stability—all while contributing to a safer and more just community.

  • Maintaining Family Connections: Free phone calls have been a lifeline for many incarcerated individuals, particularly parents or caregivers. Regular contact provides emotional support and strengthens family bonds that might otherwise fray during incarceration. Research consistently shows that people who maintain strong family ties are less likely to be reincarcerated, which benefits not only families but entire communities.

  • Arranging for Reentry Support: Free phone access has empowered incarcerated individuals to coordinate essential elements of their lives post-release, such as securing housing, employment, or treatment services. These preparations are key to reducing reincarceration and fostering stability after coming home. For example, we know one individual who arranged a direct transfer to a treatment facility, while another was able to ensure his rent was paid to avoid losing his home. This policy has even enabled some individuals to connect with our guaranteed income program, Just Income, setting them on a path toward financial security upon release.

  • Preserving Financial Stability: Before the initiative, many families faced severe financial strain to stay connected with their loved ones, while others simply could not afford to communicate at all. Now, with free phone calls, families in our community have collectively saved hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last year, freeing up resources for other critical needs and easing the financial burdens associated with incarceration.

Challenges and Looking Forward

While the impact of free phone calls has been overwhelmingly positive, there have been some challenges in implementation. Initially, ensuring fair and equal access to the phones was difficult because there were relatively few phones available, and some were not always functional. There have also been some cases of people improperly calling witnesses, although this was true before calls were free as well. 

These challenges, while real, are issues of management not policy. The solutions lie in establishing clear rules and procedures for phone access and increasing communication capacity so that phones are no longer a scarce resource. Jails across the country, and entire prison systems in states like Minnesota and California, have implemented similar reforms successfully with proper planning and oversight.

The success stories from this initiative are undeniable: stronger family bonds, better preparation for life after incarceration, and a reduced financial burden on families. This is an anniversary worth celebrating. 

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