Prison Commission
A prison commission is a payment made by a communication or commissary provider to a correctional facility in exchange for an exclusive contract. Commissions are paid as a percentage of revenue generated from inmate calls, messages, and purchases. Critics argue that commissions incentivize facilities to select the highest-paying provider rather than the best or most affordable service for families. The FCC has investigated commissions as a contributor to high prison phone rates.
What Is Prison Commission?
Prison commissions work like kickbacks where the provider shares a portion of every dollar families spend on calls, messages, and money transfers with the facility that granted them the exclusive contract. This creates a financial incentive for facilities to choose providers that generate the most revenue rather than those offering the best value to families.
Commission rates have historically been as high as 50 percent or more of call revenue. The FCC has moved to cap and eventually eliminate site commissions as part of its effort to reduce inmate calling costs. Some states have passed laws restricting or eliminating commissions while others continue the practice.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
FCC Rate Cap
FCC rate caps are federal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission on how much correctional facilities and their contracted phone providers can charge per minute for inmate phone calls. Under rules effective April 6, 2026, the cap is $0.11 per minute for large prisons and jails, up to $0.18 per minute for the smallest facilities. Video call caps are $0.23 per minute at large facilities.
CommunicationInmate Calling Service
Inmate Calling Service (ICS) is the industry term for the telephone service provided to correctional facilities for inmate-initiated outgoing calls. ICS providers hold exclusive contracts with facilities and are regulated by the FCC. Major ICS providers include Securus Technologies, GTL ViaPath, and ICSolutions. The FCC has jurisdiction over interstate ICS rates and has implemented rate caps effective April 2026.
FinanceTransaction Fee
A transaction fee is a charge applied by a communication or money transfer provider each time a deposit or purchase is made.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is FCC Rate Cap?
FCC rate caps are federal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission on how much correctional facilities and their contracted phone providers can charge per minute for inmate phone calls. Under rules effective April 6, 2026, the cap is $0.11 per minute for large prisons and jails, up to $0.18 per minute for the smallest facilities. Video call caps are $0.23 per minute at large facilities.
Read full definitionWhat is Inmate Calling Service?
Inmate Calling Service (ICS) is the industry term for the telephone service provided to correctional facilities for inmate-initiated outgoing calls. ICS providers hold exclusive contracts with facilities and are regulated by the FCC. Major ICS providers include Securus Technologies, GTL ViaPath, and ICSolutions. The FCC has jurisdiction over interstate ICS rates and has implemented rate caps effective April 2026.
Read full definitionWhat is Transaction Fee?
A transaction fee is a charge applied by a communication or money transfer provider each time a deposit or purchase is made.
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