[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 58--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
   RATES FOR INMATE CALLING SERVICE SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE AFFORDABLE 
  MODIFIED RATE CAPS ADOPTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

  Mr. BOOKER submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 58

       Whereas an estimated 5,000,000 United States children have, 
     or have had, a parent in prison or jail;
       Whereas phone calls make it easier for families of 
     incarcerated individuals to maintain positive relationships 
     with their loved ones who are incarcerated;
       Whereas phone calls help to reduce recidivism and promote 
     the well-being of children;
       Whereas a reduction in recidivism rates by just 1 percent 
     would save United States taxpayers $250,000,000 per year in 
     correctional costs;
       Whereas families of incarcerated individuals frequently 
     experience financial hardship because of the loss of a key 
     wage earner;
       Whereas the cost of maintaining contact with incarcerated 
     loved ones through in-person visits can be prohibitive;
       Whereas written correspondence, especially with small 
     children and disabled individuals, can be an inadequate way 
     of maintaining communication; and
       Whereas the Federal Communications Commission has been 
     steadfast in its efforts, in accordance with its authority 
     under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et 
     seq.)--
       (1) to bring about a compromise on inmate calling service 
     rate caps; and
       (2) to ensure that those rates are just and reasonable: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) rates for inmate calling service should not exceed the 
     affordable modified rate caps adopted by the Federal 
     Communications Commission as of the date of the adoption of 
     this resolution; and
       (2) reduced inmate calling service rates should be 
     implemented swiftly because of the importance of inmate 
     calling service as a rehabilitative means of communication.

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