DOCKET FILE COPY ORIGINAL MICHIGAN SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC. 620 SOUTH CAPITOLAVENUE, SUITE 320A •LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933-2327 TELEPHONE (517) 485-3135 • FAX (517) 485-8016 www.misherlff.org Received & Inspected DEC 2 6 2013 Board of Directors Sheriffs: December 13,2013 FCC Mail Room
President Scott A. Strait Mackinac County Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary Past President lawrence A. Stelma Federal Communications Commission Kent County 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325 Washington, DC 20554 Vice President leo Mioduszewski Isabella County RE: WC Docket No. 12-375 (Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services) District Ill
SecretaryfTreasurer Dear Madam Secretary: Blaine Koops Allegan County The Michigan Sheriffs' Association is opposed to the Order and Further Notice ofthe District IV Proposed Rule Making released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) District V which becomes effective on February 11, 2014. Timothy P. Donnellon St. Clair ~tr' This order seriously hampers the ability of the Michigan Sheriffs to secure and ~ ..... r District If'· . • -;l manage their jails effectively and fails to consider what is required to provide inmate Kir1< A. Wakefield telephone use. Inmates' needs must be balanced against the need to protect the Crawford County public, jail staff and the inmates. The phones have security components which can District I detect criminal activity occurring inside the facility. Scott A. Celello Dickinson County The Order disregards this reality and creates a regulatory environment which jeopardizes these services by prohibiting any revenue recovery by jails associated in New Sheriffs' Representative administering and monitoring inmate calls. Matthew Saxton Calhoun County Our inmate phone services provide a funding source to assist inmates with programs Terrence l. JungeI and services to aid in their successfu l return to the community. The Sheriffs utilize Executive Director these funds for a variety of programs and services, including but not limited to, Thomas N. Edmonds educational and vocational programs, substance abuse treatment programs, law Of Counsel libraries, recreation supplies, etc.
We urge the Commission to fully consider the critical public safety aspects of inmate calling services, the individualized environment in which services are offered and the full impact on safety and security of any particular regulatory approach. If there are abuses of the call rates charged, those abuses must be addressed, but not by establishing a "one size fits all" model and intruding on our authority to effectively manage our jail operations.
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nization MICHIGAN SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC. 515 NORTH CAPITOL AVENUE • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933-1241 TELEPHONE 517/485-3135 • FAX 517/485-1013 www.michigansheriff.com
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns with you or any member of your staff.
TU:ad
cc: The Honorable Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, United States Senators The Honorable Justin Amash, Dan Benishek, Kerry Bentivolio, Dave Camp, John Conyers, Jr., John Dingell, Bill Huizenga, Daniel Kildee, Sander Levin, Candice Miller, Gary Peters, Mike Rogers, Fred Upton and Tim Walberg, United States Representatives Michigan Sheriffs' Association Board of Directors John McGlinchey, MSA General Counsel Ben Bodkin, MSA Lobbyist
SINCE 1877 ... Michigan's oldest law enforcement organization