NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 9, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Miskell
Public Information Officer
Kansas Department of Corrections
(785) 291-3052
Tom Matthews, EMBARQ
Manager-Media Relations
919-554-7185 or tom.r.matthews@embarq.com

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
INMATE TELEPHONE RATES DECREASING
The Kansas Department of Corrections has entered into a contract with Embarq™ Payphone
Services Inc., a unit of Embarq Corp. of Overland Park, to provide telephone services for inmate
calling at Kansas correctional facilities for significantly reduced rates.
Embarq™ will continue to provide the capability to monitor and record all inmate telephone
conversations, limit the number of people an inmate is allowed to call, and a number of other
security related functions. The cost of the security functions associated with an inmate telephone
system is paid for through the calling charges, not by state tax dollars.
“It is important for inmates to be able to maintain contact with their families and friends,”
Secretary of Corrections Roger Werholtz said. “We have recognized for many years that the cost
of the phone calls inmates make from our correctional facilities has created a financial hardship
for their families, and I am pleased that the new contract will help reduce those costs.”
Paul Cooper, Director & General Manager – EMBARQ Public Access, said the company brings
proven technical solutions and a commitment to service to the competitive mix.
“These are complex installations with continually improving technology. You can’t just win the
contract and walk away,” Cooper said. “We’ve earned our reputation for outstanding service and
are very excited to serve KDOC and the citizens of Kansas,” Cooper said, adding that EMBARQ
provides inmate phone services for the states of South Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin in
addition to numerous county facilities. He said he expects to complete the transition from the
current provider by early 2008.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
900 S.W. Jackson Street; Topeka, KS 66612-1284 • (785) 296-3317 • Fax: (785) 296-0014

The three year contract (with an option for the department to renew for two additional years)
provides for different rates for collect, prepaid and inmate prepaid calling, amounting to an
overall cost reduction of 40% over previous costs, as shown in the following tables:

CURRENT CALLING RATES
CALL TYPE

Local
Intralata/Intrastate
Interlata/Intrastate
Interlata/Interstate
International

COLLECT
Surcharge

Per minute rate

$4.35
$3.84
$3.26
$2.84

$0.00
$0.16
$0.69
$0.66

PRE-PAID COLLECT
Surcharge

Per minute rate

$3.65
$0.00
$3.10
$0.15
$2.12
$0.63
$2.17
$0.58
Not available currently

INMATE BASED
PRE-PAY
Surcharge

Per minute rate

$3.27
$2.88
$2.45
$2.13

$0.00
$0.12
$0.52
$0.50

REDUCED CALLING RATES
CALL TYPE

Local
Intralata/Intrastate
Interlata/Intrastate
Interlata/Interstate
International

COLLECT

PRE-PAID COLLECT

INMATE BASED
PRE-PAY

Surcharge

Per minute rate

Surcharge

Per minute rate

Surcharge

Per minute rate

$2.61
$2.30
$1.96
$1.70
N/A

$0.00
$0.10
$0.41
$0.40
N/A

$2.19
$1.86
$1.27
$1.30
$1.30

$0.00
$0.09
$0.38
$0.35
$0.35

$1.96
$1.73
$1.47
$1.28
$1.28

$0.00
$0.07
$0.31
$0.30
$0.30

The contract provides the Department of Corrections with a minimum annual guarantee
commission of $1,057,000 which will continue to be used to supplement funding for offender
programs and services. This represents a 62% reduction in the minimum annual guarantee of
$2,750,000 provided under the current contract. The Department will receive a 41% commission
after the minimum annual guarantee is realized. The Department intends to discuss additional
rate reductions if call volume proves sufficient to exceed the minimum guarantee.
Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete
suite of common-sense communications services. The company has approximately 18,000
employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is included in the S&P 500. EMBARQ believes
that by focusing on the communities the company serves and by employing common sense and
practical ingenuity, it is able to provide customers with a committed partner, dedicated customer
service and innovative products for work and home. For more information, visit embarq.com.
-End-

Rev. 1/10/07