FCC Expands Disability Access Obligations Of Inmate Calling Service Providers And Proposes Additional Regulatory Changes To Improve Communications For Inmates With Hearing And Speech Disabilities
by Michal Nowicki
On September 8, 2022 the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") released a report and order and further notice of proposed rulemaking adopting sweeping changes to its regulations governing access to telecommunications relay services (TRS) for incarcerated individuals with hearing and speech disabilities. The new rules require inmate calling service (ICS) providers to offer all federally compensable forms of TRS, including video relay service (VRS), Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay), and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) (collectively, Internet-based telecommunications relay services ("iTRS")), to eligible inmates in most correctional centers, and, with a narrow exception for the voice component of IP CTS, prohibit ICS providers from charging inmates for these services. They also establish special carceral TRS user registration requirements for IP CTS providers to address the unique challenges associated with accessing these services in correctional environments and clarify how certain mandatory TRS minimum service standards apply in carceral settings.
Well, well ... it seems that letting former inmates vote will have some positive effects after all. :-)
Bill Horne