New York: Prisoners’ lawsuit over payphone fees revived

“The Court of Appeals, in a 4-2 decision, reversed a lower court’s determination that the lawsuit should be dismissed for a lack of timeliness. That was incorrect, the high court ruled. While not making any judgment on whether inmates would eventually win the claim, the Court of Appeals ordered that the case go to trial.

“Inmates are required to call collect to family, friends and others at a rate of 16 cents per minute plus a $3 connect fee. The average phone call from prison lasts 19 minutes and costs $6 — a 630 percent markup from normal phone calls, according to prisoners’ advocates.

“When the case goes to trial, the prison families and the defense groups will be seeking to recoup some of the money spent over the years on the phone calls.”

Read more at the Press & Sun-Bulletin