Attorney General Eric Holder and the United States Department of Justice just made a major announcement regarding free government cell phones: The program will be expanded to include parolees serving out their terms in halfway houses.
According to Holder the expanded Lifeline Assistance program “will require all 200-plus halfway houses in the federal system to offer standardized treatment to prisoners with mental health and substance abuse issues.” The new policy goes even further by saying that halfway houses will “have to provide greater assistance to inmates who are pursuing job opportunities, such as permitting cell phones to be used by inmates and providing funds for transportation.”
Let’s clear up one point of potential confusion: In this case, the term “inmate” refers to prisoners serving out their terms in halfway houses, not just those still incarcerated in state, federal, county or local lock-ups.
Although we can already hear the critics carping, FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net fully supports this expansion of the Lifeline Assistance program. As the nation’s leading source of information on the program, we know better than most how much a cell phone means to individuals attempting to reintegrate into the “real” world.
A free government cell phone gives these individuals a way to communicate with potential employers, a means of keeping in touch with friends and family, and a tool that can help them to once again become productive citizens. Without the ability to reconnect with society, the odds of recidivism increase dramatically.
So to the critics who say this program, and especially this expansion of the program, are too expensive, we say consider the fiscal and psychological costs to society of wasting the potential within each of these men and women. Free government cell phones are a small cost to pay for the benefits they provide not just to the residents of halfway houses, but to society as a whole.
Here’s what the Department of Justice press release said about the new program:
Once fully implemented, these services will be available to every single one of the approximately 30,000 inmates who are released through halfway houses each year. This will ensure consistency and continuity of care between federal prisons and community-based facilities. And it will enhance the programs that help prisoners overcome their past struggles, get on the right path, and stay out of our criminal justice system.
These important changes and others are codified in BOP’s published requirements for halfway houses – which will be posted online this week. Over the next 30 days, those who operate halfway houses will have the opportunity to provide feedback on these newly proposed requirements. And I encourage members of the public to visit this site, learn about these tools, and make your voices heard as well – so we can all take an active part in constructing the more effective, more efficient, and more just system that everyone in this country deserves.
According to statistics provided by the Department of Justice “more than 30,000 federal inmates passed through a halfway house.” The American taxpayer will be handsomely rewarded if a free government cell phone helps a percentage of those inmates land jobs, maintain a family support unit, and stay clear of future crimes.
That’s why we support the DOJ plan. And that’s why we hope you support it, too.
Tina says
I say this is a very bad ideal and is being used and abused in and out off prison! It is used to gaslight and harass women and children, in and out of prison. If the inmate is lucky to have access, the family only saves from being exploited by sources allowed for communication! I am not sure but tablets are allowed in some prisons and I can not even imagine how and why this can be useful, and can prove my point easy
Brian Kelso says
I have a friend that’s paroled but waiting for a half way house. I’m trying to help him get a cell phone. Hoping to have it ready upon his release. Is there a phone # he can call ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Click on your state (or his state) and you can check out all the plans and service providers.
Joseph DupontJoseph Dupont says
My daughter is mentally ill and I want to get her a cell phone that she can’t get yourself in trouble with by limiting the amount of approved telephone numbers that she can dial and limiting the amount of emails she could email to email too currently she’s schizophrenic and she it’s schizophrenic and she’s on the verge of getting herself in trouble
Free Government Cell Phones says
So sorry to hear about your issues (and your daughter’s, too). You’ll need to speak to any Lifeline companies customer service directly to see if what you want is a service they offer.
meimei says
The thing is the halfway house my husband go to does not allow him to have a smart phone or an Iphone, the phone can not have a camera or internet service either.
What is the phone number I need to call in order to get him a phone like that?
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
You may be able to find a service provider that offers an old-fashioned, basic flip phone, but we doubt it. That leaves you with one other option: Find a company in your state that offers a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) plan. You could then purchase that inexpensive flip phone and use it as your free government cell phone. But PLEASE make sure that phone is compatible with the service provider’s national cell network BEFORE you purchase it.
meimei says
How can I get a free phone since My husband will be out for halfway house on June 26?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Did you read the article, Meimei?
Kristine Paula says
Do you apply for free government cell phone PRIOR to leaving correctional facility or wait until you arrive at your designated FBOP Halfway House?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Congratulations, Kristine, you’ve asked a question we’ve never been asked before. We’re going to take an educated guess at the answer. When you enroll, you need to give the address at which you live and to which the phone will be sent. Since you do not live there yet, we assume that means you will need to wait to enroll until you do take up residence.
Dorothy vaughn says
My son was released from the Austin transitional center in September. He was put on a bus without money or a phone to call home. He missed the bus to connect to get home. A good man was nice enough to give him money to catch the next bus and let use his phone to call home. No cell phone was given to him.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Had he applied for a free government cell phone, Dorothy? They don’t just hand them out unless the recipient has filled out an application and been approved.
Audrey says
Can parolee’s/returning citizens have camera phones ?
BTW local libraries will allow everyone access to computers especially for job searches & communication with employers. Many have databases to help in the search for jobs….and special departments. The Free Library of Philadelphia
Central location has an entire department called “The Workplace” with books, databases & conducts seminars & workshops to help people find jobs.
Library cards are FREE all over the U.S.!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, Audrey. Assuming that the person meets the other qualification requirements, parolee status will not disqualify him or her.
Alicia says
Phones should be turned off after an ex inmate dies!!!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Can’t argue with that.
Alicia says
He was on Parole, they have all the documents. I would like to know who to contact to have it turned off.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Just call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone and you’ll be connected to your service provider’s customer service team.
BB says
My son was released to a halfway house on February 17, 2017. Trying to get phone to seek employment. How can he get phone without applying for food stamps. They aren’t allowed to bring they’re own food in the halfway house. Nor do they have access to computer to do applications. Any help you can give will be much appreciated.
Free Government Cell Phones says
There are lots of ways to qualify for a free government cell phone without being on food stamps, BB. It sounds as if he may qualify with a low-income level. Here’s an article that may help. It will tell you all the ways he can qualify:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
BB says
Thank you so much. I will check it out.
Darby says
My brother was also just released 10-10-17 and in a halfway house .. he needs a phone for job opportunities … can you provide a number to whoever he can talk to get this going
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
He has a number of choices, Darby. Here’s where he can find a list of all the Lifeline companies and plans available in his state. Each listing has the contact info you’re looking for:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Stephanie says
My son was released February 2 he received his phone but no instructions on activating it it not reading the sims card no number to call. Any help please
Free Government Cell Phones says
Who is his service provider, Stephanie? You can find a page dedicated to that service provider on our “Providers” page. His service provider’s page will list all the contact info he needs:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers
Jason Weaver says
I was released from Texas department of criminal justice on 11/08/2016. I signed up for ur phone and have not received my phone yet. My address is ************, Texarkana, TX. please send me an email
Free Government Cell Phones says
We cannot send individual emails because of the sheer volume of questions and emails we receive every day, Jason. However, you’re going on seven weeks and that’s longer than should be acceptable. Most companies say you’ll receive your phone within two weeks, but our readers say it has often taken three or four weeks or even longer.
You should go to your service provider’s website to find out if it has a “Check Your Status” function. If not, contact customer service by phone or online to get your question answered.
Jenifer Tenney says
This is an excellent idea and will be so helpfull for those men and women who go out on interveiw to have a phone number they can be contacted on and once they begin working and move on to house confinment a great way to ensure that there parole officer can always reach them whether at home at work or at NA meetings. This is a great tool and Im all for it!!!
Michael Noreski says
I am assigned to a halfway house in N.C. and they do not allow cell phones. is there a reason? Does the change in cell phones not include N.C.? The halfway house is ran by Hanuman House
Free Government Cell Phones says
Interesting question, Michael. We would assume that each halfway house has some discretion as to what they will and will not allow. If it won’t get you in trouble, maybe you should show our article to the director of your halfway house and ask why it does not allow cell phones.
Cathy Test says
I believe it’s a necessity for the citizens that are entering halfway houses to be connected to the outside world. If they do have a potential job lined up the employer would have no way to contact that person.Also if they have no way to land a job because of no phones, they would in turn leave the halfway house with no place to go. Can’t get an apartment if you have no job to pay the bills. Some of those citizens also have children to take care of and if a support order is determined and there’s no job, they go right back to jail for missing their payments. Therefore taxpayers will be paying out a whole lot more to support their children and the prisoner if they’ve got to return to jail for non support. Let’s make sure they have the start on a good life with the means to get that job and be a functional person.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Well said, Cathy.
Brandon plant says
Yes I am in a federal halfway house . Will not get out until Nov. 2 2016 I have been incarcerated sine July 2013 an really need a phone to help get employment. Need one with no camera an no web.
Free Government Cell Phones says
There are lots of programs available, Brandon. Click on the “States” link at the top of this page, then click on your state. You’ll find a complete list of free government cell phone companies and plans available to you. Good luck, buddy.
Rocky Starks says
Each person in this country is a ward of the state from the time they are born (unless proper steps are taken to declare sovereignty).
When anyone completes serving a prison sentence, they have simultaneously satisfied a tremendous financial debt placed on them.
To be productive in society in modern times requires significant communication tools. The mobile phone handset is an essential tool.
Our justice system should not only be punishment driven. It should also have the capacity to provide provide tools for individuals to reintegrate themselves successfully after the punishment has been fulfilled.
Great Resource. Great Program.
Erin Daily says
Where do you find them in the state of Michigan?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Click on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then click on Michigan and you’ll find a complete list of service providers in the state. Click through all the providers to find the plan that fits your needs best. Good luck.
donna furnish says
is there a free phone available to parolees?
cristina says
How would I go about getting my brother a phone. He is in S.East Texas Transitional Center in Houston,Texas. Cause it can’t have browser or camera.
kevin king says
I filled out the application online and is having problems getting approved.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
This may help you:
How to qualify for a free government cell phone if you live in a group home or shelter
kelvin wiliams says
I am currently in a halfway house and they do not allow us to have the government phones.
thomas smith says
I’m in a halfway house in Maryland