Santa Clara, San Francisco Say ICS Rate Caps Will Boost Calling, Produce Benefits

after interim 2013 FCC interstate ICS rate caps took effect and the localities voluntarily reduced their intrastate ICS rates in 2014 and 2015. "The Counties have no doubt that the reduction in rate caps for inmate calling adopted by the FCC in 2015 will increase inmate calling nationwide," said a Santa Clara and San Francisco amicus brief Wednesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which is reviewing industry and state/sheriff challenges to commission ICS regulations (Global Tel*Link v. FCC, No. 15-1461 and consolidated cases). "The increase in inmate call activity will increase inmate communications with friends and family, resulting in benefits to inmates, their family and friends, and the criminal justice system." Intervenor Network Communications International Corp. filed Thursday in support of the 2015 order, including its rate caps for intrastate calling and ancillary services. The rates "balance the diverse interests of inmates, their families, correctional facilities, and ICS providers, who will continue to receive adequate compensation while ensuring that inmates and families pay reasonable rates," said NCIC's brief (in Pacer). "Encouraging inmate communication with loved ones through reasonable rates for communications services is a crucial part of the rehabilitation process," NCIC wrote. Reasonable rates also "support cost-effective inmate access to counsel, lead to lower recidivism, and increase the likelihood that inmates and their families will stay together after reentry into society. All of these benefits save taxpayer money," it wrote.