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file:///T|/telephone%20project%20copied%20to%20T%20drive%209-22-11/VT/Vermont%20%20Phone%20Kickbacks.htm
From: Susan Schwartzkopf [sschwartzkopf@prisonlegalnews.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 10:10 AM
To: 'Paul Wright'
Subject: FW: End Prison Phone Kickbacks
This is follow up from the email letter sent yesterday.
From: Hodgdon, Marcey [mailto:Marcey.Hodgdon@ahs.state.vt.us]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 9:55 AM
To: sschwartzkopf@prisonlegalnews.org
Cc: ariel.wengroff@state.vt.us
Subject: RE: End Prison Phone Kickbacks
Ms. Schwartzkopf:
In September 2010 the Department of Corrections entered into a new contract for the provision of inmate commissary
and telephone services as well as an inmate accounting system. During contract negotiations the Department was able
to obtain lower connection and per minute charges on all types of inmate calls. The reduction in call rates did not affect
the commission percentage, which is one of the two revenues funding the Inmate Recreation Fund (the other revenue
being inmate commissary sale commissions). Please see the table below for a rate comparison as well as an
example highlighting the savings for inmates and their families/friends for an average 15 minute telephone call.
Current Contract Call Rates - Without Taxes
Connect Fees
Collect
Local
$1.25
Intralata
$1.25
Interlata
$1.25
Interstate
$1.25
15 minute call scenario - excluding taxes
Int'l
N/A
Local
Collect
$2.30
Intralata
Interlata
$3.50
Interstate
$3.50
$3.50
Prepaid
$1.00
$1.00
$1.00
$1.00
$3.00
Prepaid
$1.90
$2.50
$2.50
$2.50
Debit
$0.25
$0.50
$0.50
$0.50
$1.00
Debit
$1.00
$2.00
$2.00
$2.00
$0.07
$0.15
$0.15
$0.15
Rate/Min
Collect
N/A
Prepaid
$0.06
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.50
Debit
$0.05
$0.10
$0.10
$0.10
$0.50
Previous Contract Call Rates - Without Taxes
Connect Fees
Local
Intralata
Interlata
Interstate
15 minute call scenario - excluding taxes
Int'l
N/A
Local
Intralata
Interlata
Interstate
Collect
$1.40
$1.40
$1.40
$3.25
Collect
$2.48
$4.85
$4.85
$10.75
Prepaid
$1.40
$1.40
$1.40
$3.25
$3.95
Prepaid
$2.45
$4.85
$4.85
$10.75
Debit
$0.75
$0.75
$0.75
$0.75
$1.80
Debit
$1.65
$2.85
$2.85
$2.85
Rate/Min
SAVINGS
$0.072
$0.23
$0.23
$0.50
7.26%
27.84%
27.84%
67.44%
Prepaid
$0.07
$0.23
$0.23
$0.50
$0.89
Prepaid
22.45%
48.45%
48.45%
76.74%
Debit
$0.06
$0.14
$0.14
$0.14
$0.48
Debit
39.39%
29.82%
29.82%
29.82%
Collect
N/A
Collect
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file:///T|/telephone%20project%20copied%20to%20T%20drive%209-22-11/VT/Vermont%20%20Phone%20Kickbacks.htm
Please note commissions from inmate telephone and commissary services are the only funding streams for the
Inmate Recreation fund. Our current contract has specific language regarding bi-annual reviews of price points
and commissions geared toward reducing costs to inmates and their families/friends while maintaining the
funding sustainability of the Inmate Recreation program.
Thank you for your feedback.
Marcey
Marcey Hodgdon, Financial Manager II
Department of Corrections, Business Office
103 S. Main Street, 6/7 South
Waterbury, VT 05671-1001
(802) 241-2297 (phone)
(802) 241-1475 (fax)
marcey.hodgdon@ahs.state.vt.us
-----Original Message----From: Susan Schwartzkopf [mailto:sschwartzkopf@prisonlegalnews.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 5:03 PM
To: EXE - Webmail
Subject: End Prison Phone Kickbacks
I am writing to ask that you end kickbacks and price gouging by the U.S. Prison
Telephone Industry. I believe that families and communities should come before profiteering
and kickbacks.
Contracts for prison phone service should be bid on the basis of who can provide the
lowest price to the consumer, not which company provides the highest commission to our
state government.
Our communities are disadvantaged when prisoners are unable to maintain family ties that
will help them succeed post-release, and I ask you to act now.
Susan Schwartzkopf
106 New England Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05303
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