Reston, Virginia (PRNewsWire) – January 29, 2016 – Global Tel*Link (GTL), the leading provider of integrated correctional technology solutions, today announced the company has filed statement of legal issues, or a stay, with the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. This filing occurred on January 26, 2016.
The company has filed this stay following the January 22, 2016 denial of GTL’s previous filing before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Other communication providers have joined GTL in filing similar statements.
Specifically, the statement cites issues with the November FCC decision to place caps on rates and fees for inmate calling services (ICS) for interstate and intrastate calls in correctional facilities, including jails, prisons and others, while neglecting to allow providers to include site commissions as a cost. The rate caps are unreasonably low and based on costs that exclude any payment of site commissions to facilities. GTL believes the FCC has exceeded its legal authority and instead has created a rule that fails to reform the industry, leaving limited room for the essential investment in technology and innovation needed to move the industry forward.
“For the benefit of all constituents, we are committed to continuing the legal journey until we have exhausted all available avenues,” said Brian Oliver CEO. “We have always advocated for a balanced approach toward reining in phone rates – one that relies on cost data and which is supported by evidence.” GTL believes this legal effort is necessary to continue to provide quality service, state-of-the-art technology, and administrative payments that enable facilities to recoup the costs of providing phone service to the inmate population.
Prison communications technology is essential to reducing recidivism and maintaining the safety and security of our nation’s correctional facilities, inmates, facility officers, and employees. Studies have shown that access to technology, including phones and other services, ensures that inmates are able to maintain essential support networks.
A decision on this filing is anticipated in late 2016, with briefings anticipated in the next few months, followed by oral arguments in the fall.
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About Global Tel*Link
GTL is the leading provider of integrated correctional technology solutions, delivering financial value, security, and ease of operation to our customers through visionary products and solutions at the forefront of corrections innovation. As a trusted correctional industry leader, GTL provides service to approximately fifty percent of inmates nationwide, including service to 33 state departments of corrections, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 32 of the largest city/county facilities. GTL is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with more than 10 regional offices across the country. To find out more about GTL, please visit our website www.gtl.net.
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