Senator Bashes Free Inmate Phone Call Bill, But It has Support

VERNON, CT — State Sen. Daniel Champagne, the assistant state Senate Republican leader who also happens to be member of the legislative Judiciary Committee, an ex-cop and the current mayor of Vernon, lashed out this week at a measure that requires the Connecticut Department of Correction to provide telephone services for prison inmates.

The bill's premise is, "to provide cost-free telecommunications for incarcerated persons."

The bill also allows the DOC commissioner to supplement phone services with other means of communication, like video and email, at no cost to the inmate or other party involved on the call, Champagne said.

The bill was ultimately adopted by the Senate.

"The taxpayer, again, bears another portion of an inmate's financial burden," Champagne said. "From the time the inmate is arrested, the victim is likely financially impacted. Then, taxpayers pay for law enforcement during the investigation and arrest, sentencing, trial and incarceration. Even more, taxpayers cover the cost for parole officers when these offenders are ultimately released, which was previously funded by a portion of the phone charges."

Champagne continued, "Why should the taxpayer have to pay again and again? If a person that ends up in jail, which is extremely difficult to do, wants to avoid the minor charge for a phone call, then he or she shouldn't commit the crime. We should not dump the entire cost on the taxpayer again."

Not all legislators were so critical of the idea, even from the same town.

Vernon-based state Rep. Michael Winkler is listed as a co-sponsor of the bill. It was listed as House Calendar Number 535 on Friday.

The bill has 35 co-sponsors in all. See the list here.

It was introduced by the Judiciary Committee in March.