Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Announces 60% Reduction in Call Rates as Part of Extended Agreement with GTL The potential 10-year contract also includes the deployment of tablets for all incarcerated adults
Falls Church, VA
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June 30, 2021 11:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time
GTL, a trusted partner that connects those affected by incarceration with the resources and support necessary to achieve success, today announced that individuals incarcerated at Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) will pay significantly lower rates for phone calls as part of a new contract.
Going into effect July 1, the new contract has the potential to last for 10 years and will:
- Reduce phone call rates by 60%, allowing for more frequent communication between incarcerated individuals and their family and friends.
- Provide every new incarcerated adult entering ODRC with 60 free minutes of phone time at intake to communicate with family and friends.
- Continue the free calling program that was initiated during the pandemic.
- Significantly reduce transaction fees.
In addition to the rate and transaction fee savings, ODRC will also deploy the latest version of the GTL tablet for all incarcerated adults in its facilities at no charge. These new tablets include nearly 200 apps which incarcerated adults can use at their leisure. This deployment will occur in late 2021 or early 2022.
“Family engagement and communication between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones help to significantly increase the rate of future success and significantly decrease the rate of recidivism, and that is why we decided to lower the costs shouldered by families and friends,” said Annette Chambers-Smith, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. “We are also focusing on providing more resources to assist incarcerated individuals in realizing their potential through the deployment of tablet services focused on programming, communication, and entertainment.”
The cost reductions were negotiated to encourage incarcerated individuals to connect more frequently with loved ones. Such communication serves as a vital source of positive support, and studies have shown that successful reentry is tied to more frequent contact with family and friends.
“We have been a partner with ODRC since 2005, and we are excited to continue working together,” said Jon Walker, GTL Executive Vice President, Business Development. “The technology and resources that we provide can transform incarceration into a rehabilitative experience for the individuals at ODRC. Providing positive content through tablets will go a long way in boosting morale and increasing the focus on a life after release.”
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About GTL
For over 30 years, GTL has worked side-by-side with correctional facilities and government agencies to provide imperative technology solutions to over 1.2 million incarcerated individuals across the globe. These solutions facilitate meaningful connections, provide educational opportunities, enable successful reentry, and strengthen operational efficiency. GTL is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with an employee presence throughout North America and was recognized as a 2021 Top Workplace USA by Energage. To learn more about GTL, please visit www.gtl.net, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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