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Board to seek new proposals for inmate communication services after Smart Communications update
Summary
After an update on FCC-related changes from the warden and a presentation of two vendor options, the Butler County Prison Board voted unanimously to issue a Request for Proposals for inmate communications rather than extend the current contract.
The Butler County Prison Board voted March 17 to issue a Request for Proposals for inmate communications services after hearing an update from Warden Justin Baptiste about vendor options tied to recent Federal Communications Commission rule changes. The board rejected accepting a one-year extension in favor of soliciting competing proposals.
Baptiste told the board that Smart Communications proposed two options: a one-year contract extension that would change tablet distribution from 1:3 to 1:1 and included proposed commission rates for phone and video calls, or a flat, non-regulated annual payment of $30,000. Vice Chair Leslie Osche moved to proceed with issuing an RFP; Ben Holland seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board did not adopt any contract extension at the meeting and instructed staff to begin the procurement process.
