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Free Calls from Jail in NYC
PUBLISHED: Aug 09, 2018
When thinking about telecom, your first thought likely isn't the phone industry in prison. However, according to a 2015 article in the New York Times, prison phones are actually a billion-dollar industry. At Rikers Island in New York, for example, calls currently cost 50 cents for the first minute and 5 cents each minute after that for local numbers. That accounts for more than $20,000 in daily revenue for the city. 

Not for long, though. 

On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a new bill that will eliminate the charges and make calls free for those in jails in New York. The decision is part of a nationwide push from prison-rights groups to limit private companies from profiting off incarceration. New York is the first major city in the US to make calls free. 

“Unfortunately, the city has been profiting from some of the poorest and most vulnerable New Yorkers for years,” Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker and sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “Thankfully, that is now going to stop.”

The law will go into effect in 2019.

“People who are incarcerated, and especially people who are incarcerated pretrial without conviction, should be able to contact lifelines without cost,” Bianca Tylek, the director of the Corrections Accountability Project, told the New York Times. 



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HPA Consulting Group

HPA Consulting Group, Inc. (HPA) is a privately owned consulting firm headquartered in Rochester, NY providing specialized consulting services in Voice and Data Communications. HPA was founded in 1994 by Bill Hughes and Tom Phelps. Together, the HPA Team has over 200 years of experience in many facets of voice and data communications.

HPA facilitates businesses in determining the best communications solution for their company. This involves voice and data networks, call centers and broadband applications. In addition, HPA manages the telecom expenses for businesses to get them the most cost effective telecom solutions possible. HPA also helps telecommunications providers and manufacturers with their marketing, sales and business planning.

Since HPA's formation in 1994, over 400 clients have contracted to HPA for services. HPA has planned, designed and implemented a variety of voice and data solutions that have enabled businesses to enhance their operations in a cost-effective manner. HPA has also audited telecommunications invoices and recommended changes to client’s telecommunications services that have resulted in millions of dollars in savings for HPA’s clients.

Finally, HPA has performed work in a variety of areas for Local Exchange, Wireless, CATV, Long Distance Companies, Manufacturers and Software Providers.

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Some HPA Projects Include:

  • Designed and implemented a complete new voice, data and security network for a regional bank and their branches. Results included improved customer service in their call center, improved communication between locations and redundancy at all locations including the branches.
  • Designed and implemented a new VoIP telecommunications network including new equipment and services for a Rochester based not-for-profit with over 15 locations.
  • Redesigned a not-for-profit organization’s telecommunications system in five cities by implementing new services and pricing and auditing telephone bills. The savings paid for all new telephone equipment in less than two years.
  • Manage the communications network for a regional hospital in central New York. HPA has lowered the costs for the hospital and at the same time implemented a more up-to-date network with more functionality and redundancy.
  • Designed and implemented a Call Center for a Benefit Company in Rochester. Project resulted in drastic improvements in customer service.
  • Planned and designed a new voice and data network for a Law Firm with six locations in New York State.

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HPA Consulting Group

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Suite 2285
East Rochester, NY 14445

Phone: 585-461-2560

Web: www.hpagroup.com



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