Study says free phone calls in prison reduce recidivism — Florida budget won’t address it this year

By: Mitch Perry

Outlets: Florida Phoenix

Published: May 7, 2026

Words: 759

Last Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago

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Noting that phone contact between incarcerated people in Florida and family could reduce recidivism, Florida lawmakers approved a pilot program in each of the past three years providing for free, 15-minute phone call for well-behaved inmates.

However, in both 2024 and 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the funding, even though it wouldn’t have cost taxpayers a cent, since the money would have come from the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund, generated inside state prisons.

Now, as …

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