Committee hears bill to make free daily phone calls for incarcerated women permanent

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on SB 323, a bill to make permanent a pilot program that provided free daily 15-minute phone calls for women incarcerated at Florence McClure Correctional Center and to codify Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules that bar the Department of Corrections from profiting from phone rates.

Proponents and people with lived experience told the committee that the program strengthened family bonds, reduced stress among incarcerated people, and supported rehabilitation and reentry. Max Greenstein, a former Nevada youth legislator who helped draft the original pilot bill, told the committee the pilot produced measurable effects: "93,394 free calls were placed in total at Florence McClure between July 2023 and January 2024," and cited the department's report that "having daily interaction with loved ones ... improves daily functioning, quality of life, and stability for everyone at Florence McClure." Greenstein asked the committee to make the pilot permanent and to adopt language that prevents the department from using calls to extract revenue from families.

Committee members asked about evidence on behavioral and safety impacts inside facilities and about the program's fiscal effects. Greenstein and submitted exhibits cited research linking family contact to reduced recidivism and better outcomes, while Greenstein said the pilot was funded previously from the inmate welfare fund and that a fiscal note may be required this session because that reserve has been depleted. Greenstein also said the department's report showed the free calls increased total communication by 23 percent during the pilot period.

Department of Corrections infrastructure and rollout were discussed. Greenstein said the pilot remained limited to Florence McClure because other prisons lacked the phone infrastructure to support a similar increase in calls and to limit near-term fiscal exposure. Senators asked whether the free calls apply only to calls to children; Greenstein clarified the statutory language covers calls to any family member and noted the department had reported examples including calls to elderly spouses.

Several organizations and individuals testified in favor. Supporters included Nick Shepach (supporter), Denise Herredia, associate director of Return Strong, who said "family connection is essential for successful rehabilitation and reintegration," Tia Smith, policy attorney with ACLU of Nevada, and legal staff from the Clark County and Washoe County public defender's offices. Dozens of callers joined by phone; callers described paying large sums for prison calls in other contexts and urged passage. One caller, Yesenia Moya, said she had spent thousands on phone vendors and described the calls as "a lifeline for those inside." Another caller, Jagada Chambers, said, "The last time I spoke to both of my parents was on a prison phone call," and praised the effort to humanize incarcerated people.

Committee members repeatedly noted the program's potential to reduce longer-term costs associated with recidivism and to support families; several asked the Department of Corrections to weigh in on operational and fiscal details. The hearing record included expressions of gratitude to Greenstein and the bill's sponsors and multiple requests from senators that the department provide additional fiscal and implementation information if asked.

The committee received no recorded opposition testimony. After public and expert testimony, the committee closed the hearing on SB 323 and did not take a committee vote at that time.

Ending: The hearing record will go forward as the committee considers next steps; the chair closed the SB 323 hearing and the committee proceeded to public comment and adjournment.