For the first time, the true costs of prison phone calls have been revealed, with people in Victorian prisons spending more than $12 million on calls in a three-year period.
The Freedom of Information data, obtained by investigative journalist Jarni Blakkarly, shows the cost of prison calls from the years 2021 to 2024, being $4.697 million in 2021-22, $3.668 million in 2022-2023 and $3.696 million in 2023-24.
During the years covered by the documents, phone calls from prisons in Victoria cost 57c per minute – $6.84 for the maximum 12-minute call – and were among the most expensive in the country.
Incarcerated people who are working while in prison are paid between $7.15 and $9.80 per day. Those who are unable to work due to illness or being aged over 65 are paid about $6.50 per weekday.
The data paints a picture of the cost barriers to prison phone calls for people in prison, highlighting the potential difficulty of maintaining relationships with family and community.
It also puts a figure on the amount the state government would need to contribute to fully subsidise the cost of these phone calls.
The $3.5 million per year on prison phone calls is about 0.2 percent of the Victorian government’s overall $1.6 billion spend on prisons.
Private company Comsec TR was paid $26 million to deliver prison telephone services, contracted from 2019 until mid-2025.
There have been long-running campaigns for prison phone calls to be made the same price as calls in the community, or completely free.
Yung Prodigy, a youth-led organisation mobilising young people impacted by parental and kinship incarceration, has strongly campaigned for cheaper or free prison phone calls.
“Phone call fees turn basic human connection into a revenue stream,” Yung Prodigy founding director Maia Ihemeje told About Time.
“We know strong family ties reduce harm and support better outcomes, yet the system continues to place financial barriers on the very relationships that help reintegration processes.
“When communication is priced out of reach, the justice system isn’t just punishing the person inside, it is actively destabilising families on the outside, particularly children who rely on that contact for emotional support and connection.”
VACRO, a Victorian organisation providing reintegration services, has been campaigning for free prison phone calls for several years.
“Subsidising phone calls from prison ultimately makes families stronger and reduces the likelihood of reoffending, which saves money,” VACRO CEO Marius Smith told About Time.
Smith said the cost of prison phone calls is “really prohibitive” for those on the inside and their families.
“[It] makes family connection something of a luxury when it should be a foundational principle of supporting anyone,” he said.
For the first time, the true costs of prison phone calls have been revealed, with people in Victorian prisons spending more than $12 million on calls in a three-year period.
The Freedom of Information data, obtained by investigative journalist Jarni Blakkarly, shows the cost of prison calls from the years 2021 to 2024, being $4.697 million in 2021-22, $3.668 million in 2022-2023 and $3.696 million in 2023-24.
During the years covered by the documents, phone calls from prisons in Victoria cost 57c per minute – $6.84 for the maximum 12-minute call – and were among the most expensive in the country.
Incarcerated people who are working while in prison are paid between $7.15 and $9.80 per day. Those who are unable to work due to illness or being aged over 65 are paid about $6.50 per weekday.
The data paints a picture of the cost barriers to prison phone calls for people in prison, highlighting the potential difficulty of maintaining relationships with family and community.
It also puts a figure on the amount the state government would need to contribute to fully subsidise the cost of these phone calls.
The $3.5 million per year on prison phone calls is about 0.2 percent of the Victorian government’s overall $1.6 billion spend on prisons.
Private company Comsec TR was paid $26 million to deliver prison telephone services, contracted from 2019 until mid-2025.
There have been long-running campaigns for prison phone calls to be made the same price as calls in the community, or completely free.
Yung Prodigy, a youth-led organisation mobilising young people impacted by parental and kinship incarceration, has strongly campaigned for cheaper or free prison phone calls.
“Phone call fees turn basic human connection into a revenue stream,” Yung Prodigy founding director Maia Ihemeje told About Time.
“We know strong family ties reduce harm and support better outcomes, yet the system continues to place financial barriers on the very relationships that help reintegration processes.
“When communication is priced out of reach, the justice system isn’t just punishing the person inside, it is actively destabilising families on the outside, particularly children who rely on that contact for emotional support and connection.”
VACRO, a Victorian organisation providing reintegration services, has been campaigning for free prison phone calls for several years.
“Subsidising phone calls from prison ultimately makes families stronger and reduces the likelihood of reoffending, which saves money,” VACRO CEO Marius Smith told About Time.
Smith said the cost of prison phone calls is “really prohibitive” for those on the inside and their families.
“[It] makes family connection something of a luxury when it should be a foundational principle of supporting anyone,” he said.
Phone calls and mail are often the main ways people in the community can stay in contact with their loved one in prison.
Because of this, the burden to pay for phone calls often falls on family and loved ones in the community.
Aimee, who is currently on maternity leave and has three children, said that on top of regular bills she also has to pay $30 per month or an engine number to maintain contact with her partner, who is incarcerated in Victoria.
“It’s ridiculous – out here you can purchase a very cheap prepaid per month which gives you access to unlimited calls,” Aimee told About Time.
“I understand they’re in jail but there should be something similar available to the inmates. Instead, the onus is always on the loved ones on the outside.
“Not everyone has outside support and it’s hard enough for us out here.”
Gillian Mawhinney also has a partner in a Victorian prison.
“It’s inhumane to force a person to choose between purchasing basic necessities and maintaining a meaningful connection with loved ones outside,” Mawhinney told About Time.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria recommended the state government ensure phone calls are free or at “no greater cost than the general community”.
Since this data was recorded, the Victorian government has cut the cost of prison phone calls. Currently it costs 25c per minute to make an outgoing call from prison, or $3 for a 12-minute call.
Under the new prices, someone on the lowest pay would have to work nearly three hours to afford one 12-minute phone call.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Justice and Corrective Services said that the cost of phone calls in prison is due to a “range of security requirements”, such as the recording and monitoring of calls, and to “support the safety and security of correctional centres and the community”.
About Time understands that Comsec TR has since been awarded a contract extension and will continue to provide the telephone service until August 2029. This is yet to be updated on VicTenders.
Phone calls and mail are often the main ways people in the community can stay in contact with their loved one in prison.
Because of this, the burden to pay for phone calls often falls on family and loved ones in the community.
Aimee, who is currently on maternity leave and has three children, said that on top of regular bills she also has to pay $30 per month or an engine number to maintain contact with her partner, who is incarcerated in Victoria.
“It’s ridiculous – out here you can purchase a very cheap prepaid per month which gives you access to unlimited calls,” Aimee told About Time.
“I understand they’re in jail but there should be something similar available to the inmates. Instead, the onus is always on the loved ones on the outside.
“Not everyone has outside support and it’s hard enough for us out here.”
Gillian Mawhinney also has a partner in a Victorian prison.
“It’s inhumane to force a person to choose between purchasing basic necessities and maintaining a meaningful connection with loved ones outside,” Mawhinney told About Time.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria recommended the state government ensure phone calls are free or at “no greater cost than the general community”.
Since this data was recorded, the Victorian government has cut the cost of prison phone calls. Currently it costs 25c per minute to make an outgoing call from prison, or $3 for a 12-minute call.
Under the new prices, someone on the lowest pay would have to work nearly three hours to afford one 12-minute phone call.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Justice and Corrective Services said that the cost of phone calls in prison is due to a “range of security requirements”, such as the recording and monitoring of calls, and to “support the safety and security of correctional centres and the community”.
About Time understands that Comsec TR has since been awarded a contract extension and will continue to provide the telephone service until August 2029. This is yet to be updated on VicTenders.
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