Securus Technologies To Eliminate Mandatory Billing Fees

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Jul 08, 2014, 01:00 ET

DALLAS, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of integrated public safety software and communications platforms, announced today that it will be eliminating mandatory billing fees effective with August billings. The action is consistent with customer requests and is in line with recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) actions seeking reductions in the cost of telephone service in correctional facilities.

As a leader in the inmate telephone industry, Securus takes an active role in working with correctional facilities, called parties, and regulatory agencies, in developing standards for communications platforms in jails and prisons. With more than 25 years of experience in providing telephone systems within correctional facilities, the company understands the unique requirements necessary in creating safe and secure calling platforms within these locations. Securus has been awarded over 125 patents and has over 50 additional patents pending for its technology—proof of its knowledge and leadership in this industry.

"Securus is committed to maintaining a safe and secure communications platform that provides opportunities for inmates to maintain relationships with friends and family members at affordable prices," stated Richard Smith, Securus' Chief Executive Officer. "This decision to eliminate mandatory billing charges follows our February implementation of the FCC Order that lowered interstate calling rates by more than 40%. Securus, and our 2,200 facility customers, have followed the FCC Order and have eliminated interstate commissions and we are moving forward with filing our detailed cost-based rate study in compliance with a FCC data request."

"We've listened to, and worked with, our facility customers, inmate advocacy groups and the FCC to lower the cost of telephone service within correctional facilities," stated Dennis Reinhold, Securus' General Counsel. "We have long offered no-fee calling options and eliminated our minimum account funding requirements. We have never implemented refund fees, graduated funding charges, customer penalties, or other tactics used by some of our competitors. We have worked tirelessly in educating regulatory agencies on the critical requirements of telephone systems within jails and prisons—and we've followed the law in protecting consumer information, adhering to billing practices and standards, and complying with regulatory rulings and orders."

"We are proud of our accomplishments within this industry and of the cooperation of our facility partners in eliminating commissions on interstate calling revenue in order to create lower calling rates. We are on the right side of this issue—the side that creates and maintains relationships between family members, creates safe and secure jails and communities, and allows friend's and family member's dollars to go farther," continued Smith.

About Securus

Securus Technologies, Inc. is one of the largest providers of detainee communications, parolee tracking, and government information management solutions, serving approximately 2,600 correctional facilities in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Mexico, and more than 1,000,000 inmates. A recognized leader in providing comprehensive, innovative technical solutions and responsive customer service, Securus' sole focus is the specialized needs of the corrections and law enforcement communities. Securus is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has regional offices in Montreal, Quebec (Canada); Houston, Texas; Framingham and Hudson, Massachusetts; Melbourne, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Woodbury, Minnesota; and Marlton, New Jersey. For more information please visit the Securus website at www.securustech.net.