The Current State of Inmate Call Costs

Despite ongoing efforts for reform, the cost of inmate calls remains a significant burden for many families. According to the latest data from the Prison Policy Initiative:

• The average cost of a 15-minute in-state call from a prison is $3.15
• Some counties still charge as much as $14.10 for a 15-minute in-state jail call
• Interstate calls can cost up to $0.21 per minute in some facilities

These costs may seem modest at first glance, but for families making multiple calls per week, the expenses quickly add up. In fact, a family making two 15-minute calls per week could spend over $300 per year on communication alone.