Lexington, MA – Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mike Kennealy, announced his opposition to the Massachusetts law granting inmates unlimited free phone calls, a program passed by the Democratic supermajority in December 2023. Kennealy pledged to end the costly initiative and restore fairness for taxpayers.

“Free phone calls for inmates are costing hardworking taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, and that is unacceptable and backwards,” said Kennealy. “Right now, we have a Governor and a Democratic supermajority prioritizing criminals’ access to taxpayer-funded perks over the needs of Massachusetts families. Allowing free phone calls opens the door to criminal abuse. In other states, inmates have used them to scam unsuspecting citizens. A Governor must anticipate these consequences, but that foresight was clearly absent when Maura Healey passed this into law.”

Kennealy emphasized that Massachusetts must reprioritize its spending and stand up for the middle class. “While citizens are struggling to pay their own phone bills, utility bills, or mortgages, convicted criminals are getting free unlimited calls. That is absolutely wrong. Our Commonwealth should be focused on initiatives that strengthen families, create economic growth, and deliver real tax relief not on giveaways to criminals. I will end this reckless policy as Governor.”

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