IDOC TO LOWER PHONE RATES

[Dazzler]

Michael Randle, director of IDOC, knows that the phone service and it's high rates must be changed in Illinois.  At the next contract expiration with Consolidated he has hinted that the rates will be reduced and pre-paid phone cards will be available for Illinois inmates and their families.  Good for him!!!

[lvanrs2]

Thats wonderful news.  They used to have phone cards.  I wonder when the contract is due to expire.

[KSwife]

  This is terrific news! I'm with you Ivan, when does the contract expire??

[codyandbecca]

That is amazing news. Finally a director that is at the very least trying to look out for the families of inmates.

[Still love my son]

 
Awesome News!!!!!!
My son just moved from the lower part of the state to the central part of the state on a transfer, and i have already noticed the phone calls are about a dollar cheaper!!!!  Didn't think that mattered but it must, so I am truly happy for the SMALL break!!!!!

[jlnjy]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful news....I'm looking forward to when its implemented.

Will this mean our loved ones purchase the phone cards at commissary and Consolidated will be out of the picture or will Consolidated handle the purchase or service of the phone cards? (If you know)

[Dazzler]

I didn't hear that Consolidated would be eliminated.  I'll bet they will maintain the phone system and the cards would be sold in the commissary.  But that's just a guess....I imagine it would be handled the way other institutions do it, but I'm not familiar with how that's done...maybe someone else has dealt with phone cards before.

If I remember correctly the contract is due in the Spring usually, and it's for a five year period usually.  It seems it was just re-signed last year.  There may be a year to year clause in it and then maybe this Spring the cards would be available...it's a step in the right direction...

[lvanrs2]

I would imagine an approved phone list would still need to be in place to use the cards.  I dont know how they could link the approved numbers to a specifric phone card so I assume the list would be within the phone system itself.

[Marks_guy]

This is just  ! I don't have a phone account with consolidated because of the high costs. Maybe this will happen sooner rather than later, and allow more people like myself to talk to their lo's.

[Dazzler]

I'm sure they have it all figured out as almost every DOC around the country, including the Feds, use phone cards.  The inmates get a pin number to use with their cards just liike making a call now.  The pin is linked to the approved list.

[mmarthapena1]

     This is good to hear, at least Director Randle is acknowleding the fact that Consolidated is burning holes in our pockets! The thought of saving us some money on our l/o's calls is music to my ears, lets see some ACTION! 

[lvanrs2]

I guess now it is just a matter of when the contract with Consolidated expires.

[colorblind]

I have a friend in Federal prison in Tucson and they have a neat system. When he calls me, I get a recording and have to press a number on the phone to accept, but the call is free to me. He uses a PIN and it comes out of his commissary. He is very careful with how long he talks...If I wanted more calls, I could send money to his books....Good strategy, he can decide how to spend his money and no extra burden out here except money to the books if I choose. Actual calling cards could become like money and there may be fights over them or theft. This sounds safer and all done by computer.

[Amarie]

I am so happy Randle is addressing this problem. Consolidated has been ripping us off for years. I know for those of us with years to go this is a big relief.

[Mrs.Mcgahee]

Finally, someone who is trying to get things done! I hope they can do this quickley.

[Favored23]

This really is great news.  I still want to be able to put money on the phone from this end if they can't get to the store and get cards.  We will see what happens.

[hiswife22]

This is the best news i have heard in a while. I sure hope it happens soon!! Consolidated will probably try and make some kind of deal with the state so they dont loose the business but whatever it takes to get cheaper calls works for me!! :)

[Shari]

It is my opinion, that in the long run, lowering the prices would create more profit for these companies.  Just think how many more calls would be made.  Some people out there don't even have an account because of the cost, and I don't hardly accept any because I can't afford it.  Even when I am working, I never go over my $50 limit.  I think in the three years he's been incarcerated, I've spent less than $250 on consolidated.  Their high prices have just gotten me used to the fact I can't hear my H's voice very often...

[Amarie]

Shari,

It may make them more money but I think it will save the individual person money on the back end. We can't worry about what others will spend I for one only worry about myself and just cause they lower the prices I will still spend the same amount I do now but I will get more calls.

[Shari]

Amarie,

You missed my point.  I was just stating that the quantity of phone calls that will be made when the prices decrease will more than offset the lower profit per call for the company.  It's a shame that greedy companies can't envision that for themselves, and that people have to suffer for it.

I am also excited that the prices are going down.  My four year old keeps asking when are we going to visit daddy or when is he going to call. 

I have gotten pretty used to the fact that we can't afford to hear his voice, so I'm not sure how many more calls will happen from our end.  This is something that Consolidated has erred to think of in their greed.

[Marks_guy]

I agree totally Shari. If they lower the prices, we are likely to accept more calls, or with people like myself, set up accounts.

[Amarie]

Shari,

It is all about personal responsiblity. If a person knows they can't afford calls now or when the rates decrease that is on them to control themselves. Consolidated does give a fig newton about us.

[Shari]

Shari,

It is all about personal responsiblity. If a person knows they can't afford calls now or when the rates decrease that is on them to control themselves. Consolidated does give a fig newton about us.

You still aren't getting my point, and Consolidated does NOT give a fig newton about us.  Let's just agree to disagree.

[tweetyj]

Is this true?

[scudder5]

   At least it will keep the people who have not been able to talk to their loved ones very much some relief, some people do know how to stay on a budget, even if it means not accepting calls, now they dont have to do that

[loving_Liz]

Well IDOC needs to adopt what MO has done; went to phone cards and the cost per minute is a mere ten cents.

[tcampbell]

I wish they would have came up with this idea three years ago.  I am still happy that it is a possible change for those who still have more time left.  Besides I enjoy talking as much as my sweetie so maybe we can communicate a lot more until he comes home.

[pats]

I always wondered who owns or runs Consolidated and how much of a kick back they get from overcharging us on the calls.  Long distance is cheap now.  Of course you have to pay more for their service (the recording, pin numbers, etc.) but the prices they charge are bizarre.   Many times the phone connection is so bad that you hear hardly hear.  No one seems to care about that.  Only problem I know I will have is paying for the phone cards and all the calls will not be coming to me or the family.  I don't mind his calling some friends who he hasn't spoken with, but not to get carried away either.  I bet many other people will face this problem too. 

Thank God that Randle seems to care about the families expenses.  Maybe we should write to him about the exhorbitant prices of the food in the vending machines also.  How about the little containers of Hunt's pudding for $1.95.  They are 4 for $1.00 anywhere. Talk about a profit!!!  Who owns the vending machine company? A State official's relative or friend???
 

[Heart]

In wisconsin it is against the law for connections fees. What has happen to Illinois??

[me]

I always wondered who owns or runs Consolidated and how much of a kick back they get from overcharging us on the calls.  Long distance is cheap now.  Of course you have to pay more for their service (the recording, pin numbers, etc.) but the prices they charge are bizarre.   Many times the phone connection is so bad that you hear hardly hear.  No one seems to care about that.  Only problem I know I will have is paying for the phone cards and all the calls will not be coming to me or the family.  I don't mind his calling some friends who he hasn't spoken with, but not to get carried away either.  I bet many other people will face this problem too. 

Thank God that Randle seems to care about the families expenses.  Maybe we should write to him about the exhorbitant prices of the food in the vending machines also.  How about the little containers of Hunt's pudding for $1.95.  They are 4 for $1.00 anywhere. Talk about a profit!!!  Who owns the vending machine company? A State official's relative or friend???
 

I recommend that people start complaining to the IL Better Business Beurea
Which by the way Consolidated (who has the State of IL contract) is not even registered with.  According to what I see..............they only have 6 total complaints against them.  '
Maybe we should start filing complaints???  Just a thought.....

http://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-reviews/telephone-companies/consolidated-communication-public-services-in-mattoon-il-110200289

[Favored23]

I agree with me.  If consolidated does not resolve your complaint then we need to start filing with the BBB.  Something has to give with these outrageous charges and all that is happening with the new phone system.

[Missplaymate618]

Finally good news!!! These calls our outrageous. Unfortunately I have received calls from mdoc and feds and the cost is so much cheaper it seems for feds I know 15 min is like 3.25 total. I hope they will still allow the prepaid on our end just in case they can't buy the cards at store. Thanks for the good news :)