So the most captive audience in Texas is handing Southwestern Bell big bucks. Spokeswoman Amber White says nobody is likely to find out, because the total figure is, uh, an unlisted number as far as Ma Bell's concerned. Texas Public Utilities Commission spokesman Terry Hadley says he believes Bell does not have to publicly disclose the amount because it is not even required to be revealed to the commission. Governmental jurisdictions throughout the telephone company's system are also profiting from crime, or at least from those accused of it. Spokeswoman White says the company negotiates its contracts on an individual basis with cities and counties.
Revenue is shared with the facility.
The percentage varies with the contract. In the case of Harris County, White is slightly off base. The revenue is not shared exclusively with the Harris County Jail. It goes into the county's fund for general operations. Harris County gets 48 percent of the revenue from the calls.