An exclusive contract with ViaPath Technologies (formerly GTL) generates significant revenue for Kalamazoo County by monetizing communication for inmates and their families. This arrangement, built on high fees and commission "kickbacks," has cost families millions while funding the county's general fund.
One-Time Signing Bonus
Paid by ViaPath to the County to secure the exclusive contract.
Commissions to County
Collected from 2021 through Sept 2025 from calls and tablet fees.
The Profit Machine: How the "Kickback" Works
The 2020 contract guarantees Kalamazoo County a large percentage of the revenue generated from inmate communications. ViaPath, in return, gets an exclusive monopoly and keeps 100% of all "junk" fees.
Phone Call Revenue Split
The County receives an 80% cut of all gross revenue from intrastate calls made by inmates.
Tablet & Video Visit Revenue Split
The County receives a 25% cut of gross revenue from tablet access and video visitation fees.
The Price of Connection: What Families Pay
The financial burden falls directly on the families, who are often forced to choose between staying connected and paying bills. The system is layered with high rates and predatory, non-refundable fees.
Per-Minute & Per-Message Rates
- Phone Calls: $0.18 / minute
- Video Visits: $0.25 / minute
- Text Message: $0.25 / message
- Photo Message: $0.50 / photo
- Tablet (Media): $0.05 / minute
Hidden "Junk" Fees (100% to ViaPath)
- Deposit Fee: $3.95 - $10.00+
- Automated Payment: $3.00
- Live Operator: $5.95
- Bill Statement Fee: $2.00
Case Study: The Human Toll
One individual, Dominic Deere, estimated his family spent $7,700 over 9 months just to stay in contact while he was in jail.
The Human Cost: Banned Visits, Punished Families
The contract's profitability relies on eliminating in-person visitation, forcing all contact onto the paid virtual system. This disproportionately affects the 70% of the jail population who are un-sentenced and legally innocent.
The End of In-Person Contact
In-person visitation was banned in 2013, replaced entirely by ViaPath's fee-based system.
Sheriff's Justification: Safety and space limitations.
Advocate Counter: Video is an inadequate substitute, harming rehabilitation and mental health (no oxytocin response).
Punishing the Legally Innocent
An estimated 70% of the jail population is awaiting trial and has not been sentenced, yet their families must pay these high costs.
The Key Players
This system is approved, administered, and enabled by several key groups, while advocates and the public work to expose it.
ViaPath (GTL)
The Vendor
Holds the exclusive contract. Has faced a $67M settlement for seizing inmate funds and a $3M CFPB fine for predatory practices.
Kalamazoo County Commission
The Approvers
The elected body that approves the county's contracts, including the agreement with ViaPath.
Sheriff's Office
The Administrators
Administers the contract daily. Defends the virtual-only model but claims to support lower rates if mandated.
Advocates
The Investigators
Groups like NowKalamazoo & Civil Rights Corps used FOIA to expose the contract's terms.
The Public
The Conscience
Individuals like Barbara Vanessle, who demanded the County stop profiting from families in public comment.
The Fight for Change: Legal & Regulatory Outlook
This practice is under increasing scrutiny, though change is slow. Federal regulators have proposed caps, and local counties are facing lawsuits.
FCC Proposed Rate Cap
A 2024 FCC ruling proposed capping jail rates at $0.09/min, but implementation is delayed until April 2027 due to industry pushback.
Legal & Regulatory Action
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Michigan Litigation
Similar "kickback" schemes are being litigated in St. Clair and Genesee counties, alleging conspiracy to ban visitation to drive profits.
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Federal Scrutiny on ViaPath
The vendor has been fined $3M by the CFPB and faced a $67M settlement for predatory financial practices.
