U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Minnesota Reduces Phone Rates to Combat Contraband Cellphones

NCJ Number
245659
Journal
Techbeat Dated: March/April 2014 Pages: 14-15
Author(s)
Becky Lewis
Date Published
March 2014
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article from TechBeat magazine discusses efforts by the Minnesota Department of Corrections to reduce the presence of contraband cellphones in the State's correctional facilities.
Abstract

This article discusses efforts by the Minnesota Department of Corrections to reduce the presence of contraband cellphones in the State's correctional facilities. The State charges a low rate to offenders for access and use of the telephone. According to the Department of Corrections, this approach not only reduces the need for contraband cellphones inside correctional facilities, but it also ensures that offenders maintain a connection with their families and to the outside world, improving their chances of successfully reentering the community. The money paid by inmates for phone use also provides income back to the facilities and is used to fund programs that benefit offenders, such as law libraries. The article also notes that the success of this approach is due in part to the professional conduct of the staff in working towards providing a safe atmosphere for the inmates.