New York Become 1st Major City to Offer Free Phone Calls From Jail

City New York is becoming the first major city in the U.S. to offer free phone calls from jails, NBC NEWS reports.

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill into law this week. It takes effect in nine months.

Currently, local calls from Rikers Island cost 50 cents for the first minute and 5 cents for each additional minute. About three quarters of people in the city’s jails have not been convicted of a crime and are there awaiting trial. Many are poor. Read more at NBC NEWS.

{Matzav.com}