Key Takeaways:
– City Comptroller Brad Lander rejected a renewal contract for Securus Technologies over suspected service monopoly and price control.
– Securus, set to provide entertainment to detainees, lacked competition and independent confirmation for its services.
– The Department of Correction (DOC) failed to justify the contract value or properly evaluate vendor performance.
– Securus’ proposed service prices are significantly higher than most standard media services.
– Past controversies regarding Securus include recorded confidential calls and high call prices for detainees.
Contract Unjustifiable, Lander Asserts
City Comptroller Brad Lander has delivered a firm no to renewing the contract with Securus Technologies, criticizing the Department of Correction (DOC) for failed justification. He cited multiple issues in a letter to Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie last Thursday.
Securus held the solitary contract for supplying entertainment content to tablets in city jails. Lander voiced concerns over the lack of independent verification that Securus was the lone provider that could offer the service.
Suspected Service Monopoly
Instead of acquiring independent verification, Lander noted that the correction officials had merely copied and pasted Securus’ defense to justify being the sole vendor for the service.
“DOC sought to register an inappropriately sole-sourced, no-bid contract,” Lander said, adding that this would “enable a vendor with a history of data privacy violations to profit off the backs of incarcerated people through a DOC-granted Wi-Fi monopoly.”
Securus Technologies’ Controversial Pricing
Securus had been providing “premium” content, including movies, TV series, music, and video games to tablets used by detainees. However, with detainee subscriptions costing up to $26 per category, it’s significantly higher than most standard media services.
Furthermore, the contract renewal would allow Securus to increase these prices yearly at their discretion, resulting in unchecked and potentially unreasonable price spikes.
Lack of Vendor Evaluation and Past Controversies
Lander also pointed out that the DOC has defaulted on their vendor performance evaluations since 2021, thus raising questions about the agency’s disregard for vendor performance assessment.
Securus has been involved in several controversies in the past, notably for recording confidential calls between detainees and lawyers, charging high call prices, and mining and reselling personal data of immigration detainees.
In conclusion, Lander’s disapproval of Securus’ contract renewal suggests a serious need for reform and accountability in the provision of detainee services. The Department of Correction now needs to justify their decision to choose Securus and provide comprehensive analysis of the contract’s value compared to widely available entertainment services. Securus, too, must demonstrate that it is capable of responsibly handling the interests of those incarcerated while maintaining their privacy and dignity.