Yes, ICS commissions are deposited into the Special Services Fund. Because all of the vendors would provide similar services, more emphasis was placed on the commission rate. Increased commissions for ADC help ensure a healthier fund to pay for essential and legally-required programming services that the department provides for inmates. It’s important to note that the new contract prohibits vendors from charging transaction fees for provided services, reducing costs to those utilizing inmate calling services. It’s accurate that there is litigation pending regarding the new contract. Regards, Andrew Wilder Andrew Wilder Director of Communications/Media Relations Arizona Department of Corrections From: Agnel Philip [mailto:aphilip3@asu.edu] Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 8:34 AM To: MEDIA Subject: Re: Prison Phone System Provider Hello, I know you said that no one would be available for an interview, but I wanted to reach out for a comment and confirmation on a couple things. First, I wanted confirmation on whether all the money from commissions get deposited in the Special Service Fund. I also wanted a comment on why that fund's balance has increased dramatically since FY2010 while expenditures had fallen. Second, I wanted to know why the commission rate was so heavily weighted (1500 of the possible 1800) in the bid for the new phone provider contract that was won by CenturyLink? I had also heard from CenturyLink about pending litigation regarding that contract and wanted confirmation on that and more information on what that litigation is about. Thanks, Agnel On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 12:30 PM, MEDIA wrote: The ADC appreciates your interest in the Department’s ability to fund and maintain inmate educational and programming services. Department personnel are not available for interviews, however the annual reports for FY 1014 are attached. Also attached is the letter ADC sent to the FCC outlining the importance of ICS to Department programming and services, as well as its strong concerns with the FCC’s overreaching policy proposal. ADC welcomes you to include it in your piece. From: Agnel Philip [mailto:aphilip3@asu.edu] Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2015 8:50 AM To: MEDIA Subject: Re: Prison Phone System Provider Also, I would like to get a copy of the records reference in this document: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view? id=60001039447. The records I'm referring to are on pages 5 - 31. Regards, Agnel On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 7:57 AM, Agnel Philip wrote: Hello, Just following up on this. We would really like to do the interview today if possible. Thanks, Agnel Philip aphilip3@asu.edu / (630) 779-3152 Sophomore, Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication On Apr 14, 2015, at 9:12 AM, Agnel Philip wrote: Thank for you the information. I would like to set up an on-camera interview about this topic for this Thursday or next Tuesday. Let me know if that's possible. Regards, Agnel On Fri, Apr 10, 2015 at 10:50 AM, MEDIA wrote: Effective July 1, 2015, the inmate telephone system contracted provider is scheduled to convert from Securus Technologies to Century Link. In this new contract, rates are unchanged, however 93.9 percent of each call will go to fund programs that improve the lives of ADC inmates and reduce recidivism (up from 53.7 under the contract with Securus). Additionally, current payment or transaction processing fees are eliminated in the new contract. Regards, Andrew Wilder Andrew Wilder Director of Communications/Media Relations Arizona Department of Corrections From: Agnel Philip [mailto:aphilip3@asu.edu] Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2015 2:56 PM To: MEDIA Subject: Prison Phone System Provider Hello, I’m a reporter with Cronkite News who is looking into the phone system provider for the DOC. I’ve seen the bid documentation from last year and would like to know who won the contract. Furthermore, I’d like to get some information on rates and whether the phone service provider is able to charge any additional fees above the rates specified in the bid documentation (attachment #6). Also, if someone from the department is available for an in-person interview in the near future to talk about how the prison phone service works, that would be great. Thanks for the help, Agnel Philip aphilip3@asu.edu / (630) 779-3152 Digital Reporter at Cronkite News Portfolio: agnelphilip.com Twitter: @agnel88_philip LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agnelphilip -Agnel Philip aphilip3@asu.edu / (630) 779-3152 Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Portfolio: agnelphilip.com Twitter: @agnel88_philip LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agnelphilip -Agnel Philip aphilip3@asu.edu / (630) 779-3152 Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Portfolio: agnelphilip.com Twitter: @agnel88_philip LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agnelphilip -Agnel Philip aphilip3@asu.edu / (630) 779-3152 Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Portfolio: agnelphilip.com Twitter: @agnel88_philip LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/agnelphilip