The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sought public comment on its proposed changes to regulations of Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS). These regulations apply to all state and federal prisons, local jails, and immigration detention centers. They were promulgated to protect incarcerated people and their loved ones from having to pay exorbitant amounts to stay in touch. In these comments, we urge the FCC to retain its prohibitions on ancillary fees and on minimum deposit amounts. We argue that such an approach is the least burdensome and most appropriately protective of consumers, while still allowing communications companies to recover what they are entitled to. We further argue that, if the FCC decides to establish either a minimum deposit amount or reinstate ancillary fees, it should do the former, and it should set the minimum deposit amount at no more than $5.
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