MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed SF 2909, the Judiciary and Public Safety budget bill, which the Minnesota House of Representatives voted 69-63 to pass on May 16. The bill includes language that makes calls free for people incarcerated in state prisons. The language was initially introduced by Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten in the Senate and Representative Esther Agbaje in the House. Minnesota follows Connecticut, California, and Colorado to become the fourth state in the country to make prison calls free.
“For too long, incarcerated Minnesotans and their families have been charged outrageous fees just to keep in contact with one another,” said Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten. “Eliminating these fees is the right thing to do. Phone calls keep families connected.”
"Incarceration can be a very isolating experience, and it can be difficult for incarcerated people to maintain their relationships with their loved ones," said Representative Esther Agbaje. "There is a significant financial disparity among BIPOC incarcerated people. Eliminating the financial barrier will allow individuals to maintain strong family ties, reduce recidivism rates and increase mental and emotional well-fare. Incarceration can take a toll on mental and physical health, but research has shown that regular contact with family members can help to improve both.”
This budget will bring huge relief to Minnesota families who pay over $4.5 million each year to speak to their incarcerated loved ones. Over 50% of these families, who are disproportionately Black, Brown, and low-income, struggle to meet basic housing and food needs. One out of three families with a loved one behind bars goes into debt just to stay in touch, and women carry 87% of the burden.
“With the passage and signing of this budget, Governor Walz and the state legislature have put Minnesota families first. By making prison calls free, parents, children, siblings, and spouses can support each other regardless of whether they are behind bars or in free society. We thank Senator Oumou Verbeten and Representative Agbaje for their partnership and applaud their commitment to supporting and connecting families." said Bianca Tylek, Executive Director of Worth Rises. “This has been an exciting month for the connecting families movement, as Minnesota comes on the heels of the passage of similar legislation in Colorado. We expect more states to follow.”
In addition to free prison calls in Connecticut, California, and Colorado, calls from jails are free in several municipalities, including New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, and Louisville. Worth Rises is leading or supporting active connecting families campaigns in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and more.
“It’s incredible to know that families like mine will no longer be charged astronomical fees just to stay in touch with their loved ones by phone,” said Minister JaNaé Bates, Communications Director at ISAIAH. “This is not only the economical thing to do for some of the most vulnerable families in our state, but it is a just and commonsense thing to do as we create a state that doesn’t perpetually punish people, but restores them.”
Years of research have shown a range of benefits from regular communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones. Communication with support systems can inspire people to reengage in their own rehabilitations and lower tension and violent incidents inside, making the carceral environment safer for both incarcerated people and correctional staff. Communication also helps people prepare for their release, helping them to secure housing, employment, and more. Moreover, communication benefits the entire family, especially parents, spouses, and children. For example, one in 28 children with an incarcerated parent do better at home or in school when they are connected.
“We are grateful to the legislature for stepping up and making this right,” said Tim Dorway, Community Engagement and Legislative Advocate for Alpha Emergence Behavioral Health. “When a human being is imprisoned, the consequence is time away from the community. It does not mean that person should be disconnected from their support network, nor should their loved ones be disconnected from them. In the end, this will only support a more healthy and successful reintegration and lower recidivism rates.”
HB23-1133 is backed by the Minnesota Connecting Families coalition made up of state and national organizations, including Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Felony Murder Law Reform Minnesota, ISAIAH, Minnesota Freedom Fund, Minnesota Second Chance Coalition, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota, Park Street Public, Voqal, We Are All Criminals, and Worth Rises.
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Worth Rises is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it targets. Follow @WorthRises on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Visit worthrises.org.