The article discusses the FCC's recent regulations on inmate phone systems, emphasizing the challenges faced by Baxter County Sheriff's Office in potentially reinstating these services due to cost issues. Despite Republican support for the rate control order, FCC Chair Brendan Carr advocates for maintaining communication between inmates and their families, citing its benefits for mental health and recidivism reduction. The notion of feasibility varies, as evidenced by Baxter County's history of finding funding for jail expansion. Montgomery hints at possible adjustments to visiting hours in response to the regulatory landscape.
So Montgomery may not get this decision reversed easily. (On the other hand, Carr did just launch a "Delete! Delete! Delete!" initiative focused on cutting regulations, so who knows.)
I also heard from formerly incarcerated individuals who underscored the decline in mental and emotional health that can result from a lack of external communications. Beyond that, studies have repeatedly shown that increased communication between incarcerated people and their families, friends, and other outside resources helps reduce recidivism rates.
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