On March 25, 2025, a memo was posted inside of Kentucky prisons stating that "no later than end of business" on that day, the Securus phone app would be removed from inmate tablets. No notice was posted to families on the DOC website or social media pages. The reason given was "security" and it was stated that this is not a temporary action. However, all phone calls are monitored and recorded, which increases security.
Many inmates utilize phone calls with loved ones to keep them focused, to process negative events and emotions in prison, and to just to be reminded that they matter. Those phone calls decrease negative behaviors in inmates as they are able to talk through issues instead of acting on their frustrations. This increases security. The potential loss of phone calls has also served as a deterrent to negative behavior. With this action, this deterrent will be lost, as inmates will already be receiving minimal phone contact with loved ones.
The elimination of the phone app will further decrease security as inmates will be competing to make calls on the limited available phones throughout the day. This will increase their frustration and lead to conflict amongst inmates. Before tablets were available, dorm phone use was a source of conflict amongst inmates and there is the potential for some inmates to "control" the phones and "charge" for use, leading to increased victimization of inmates as they have to "pay" to use the wall phones. Already short-staffed prisons will have to handle increased conflict, write-ups, court call and seg housing assignments as negative behaviors increase.
In most Kentucky prisons, there are approximately 3-5 "wall" phones for 50-160 inmates per dorm (50 being specialized dorms with lower population such as a SAP dorm). Even in the best situation (3 phones to 50 inmates), that number is unmanageable when you add in count/lockdown times throughout the day. The tablet phone app has been a lifeline and a lifesaver for inmates and their loved ones. There are families who cannot answer the phone during the day because of work or the children are in school. Loved ones may miss the only call an inmate had the opportunity to make that day. Their loved ones care about that loss of contact.
Research indicates that inmates who have contact with loved ones (phone calls and visits) have better outcomes inside prison and once they are released. Continued contact with loved ones reduces recidivism. We respectfully request that this action be reconsidered with the actual negative impact on inmates, families, and prison staff being thoroughly examined.
If there is another reason for this action, we ask that DOC make the decision public so that families and inmates understand the change. In light of recent lawsuits regarding inmate abuse by correctional officers and staff members in Kentucky, it is concerning that the DOC would try to further limit an inmate's ability to communicate with the outside world at this time.
Thank you.
Loved Ones of Kentucky's Incarcerated
