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Federal prisoners are now making more behind bars in Canada after the Correctional Service halted 30% deductions for telephone calls and other privileges.
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“Basically 30% is now waived and does not get deducted from their pay,” prison managers wrote the Senate human rights committee, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
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“Following consultation with offenders, the Correctional Service indefinitely waved these deductions in September 2023. This provides offenders with more funds.”
With rates set in 1981, prisoners’ pay ranges from a minimum $1 to $6.90 daily.
Those getting higher pay have clean disciplinary records and a positive “attitude,” and agree to work as janitors and kitchen helpers.
“Payment rates are based on factors such as offender accountability, adherence to the offender’s correctional plan and attendance associated with their participation in programs,” said the Senate committee submission.
“It was noted that before an offender had approximately $4 left after deductions for food and accommodation (22 %) and administration of the inmate telephone system (8%).”
Just over a decade ago, the Conservative cabinet approved a mandatory 42 cents biweekly fee for telephone privileges, with long-distance charges extra to recoup the $1.6 million annual cost of organizing inmates’ call lists and distributing phone cards.
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