Bill > SB378

This bill modifies existing Virginia law regarding communication services in state correctional facilities by requiring the Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide free telephone and electronic communication systems to inmates and their contacts. Specifically, the bill mandates that telephone systems must be available at no cost to users, with each correctional facility housing unit required to have one telephone per every 10 inmates. Inmates will be allowed to have an approved call list of at least 20 telephone numbers. Additionally, the bill prohibits the DOC from receiving any commissions from these communication systems. For electronic communication services like web-based messaging and video visitation, the bill ensures these services are also provided free of charge and prevents facilities from prohibiting in-person visitations or excluding inmates from using these systems, except for temporary disciplinary reasons. The changes aim to improve communication access for incarcerated individuals while maintaining facility security, and remove previous provisions that allowed charging fees or collecting commissions from communication services.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+SB378