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Brian Shortsleeve for Massachusetts

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Shortsleeve Calls for End of Free Prisoner Calls

Sep 3, 2025

Brian Shortsleeve Unveils "Respect the West" Plan to Put Western Massachusetts First

Plan Includes Tax Relief for Small Businesses and Farmers, Fairer Road Funding, Expanded Tourism Promotion, and a Permanent Voice for Rural Communities

BOSTON, MA – Republican candidate for Governor Brian Shortsleeve today unveiled his "Respect the West" plan, a package of initiatives designed to recognize the unique needs of Western Massachusetts and reverse decades of Beacon Hill policies that have left the region behind.

"For too long, Western Massachusetts has been treated like an afterthought by politicians on Beacon Hill," said Brian Shortsleeve. "The challenges facing Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties aren't the same as those in Boston, and the solutions shouldn't be either. As governor, I'll make sure Western Massachusetts has a seat at the table and a government that finally understands and respects its communities."

The Respect the West plan entails:

Expand Tourism Marketing for Western Massachusetts
Launch a dedicated statewide tourism campaign promoting the Berkshires, Pioneer Valley, and Hilltowns to attract more visitors, support local restaurants, hotels, shops, and cultural attractions, and strengthen the region's economy.

Expand Tax Credits for Farms, Wineries, Breweries, and Cideries
Increase tax credits for small farms, wineries, breweries, and cideries that preserve Massachusetts agriculture, create local jobs, and strengthen the rural economy.

Create a Rural Mileage Adjustment to Chapter 90 Funding
Modernize the Chapter 90 formula to recognize that rural communities maintain significantly more miles of roads with far fewer taxpayers. A rural mileage adjustment will ensure Western Massachusetts communities receive a fairer share of state transportation funding.

Establish a Rural Communities Advisory Forum
Create a permanent Rural Communities Advisory Forum that meets regularly with the governor and lieutenant governor to identify challenges, develop solutions, and ensure the voices of Western Massachusetts are heard before problems become crises.

Restore and Expand the Governor's Western Massachusetts Office
After the scandals and dysfunction that have plagued the Governor's Western Massachusetts Office, it's clear the region deserves better. Brian Shortsleeve will restore integrity to the office, expand its responsibilities, and ensure it is staffed by professionals whose job is to solve problems for Western Massachusetts, not political insiders collecting a paycheck. The governoe and lieutenant governor will maintain a regular presence in the office to ensure the region has a real seat at the table.

"Respecting Western Massachusetts means more than showing up every four years asking for votes," Shortsleeve said. "It means lowering taxes, investing in rural infrastructure, supporting family farms and small businesses, and making sure the people who live here have a direct voice in state government. As governor, that's exactly what I'll do."

BOSTON, MA – Today Marine Corps Veteran, successful business leader, and proven government reformer Brian Shortsleeve, Republican candidate for governor, called for a repeal of the Massachusetts law that provides free phone calls and video calls to individuals incarcerated in state prisons and county jails—calling it a “misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

“Massachusetts taxpayers are footing the bill for free calls and video chats for convicted criminals while struggling families are paying some of the highest energy bills, housing costs, and taxes,” said Shortsleeve. “Taxpayers have funded over $20 million for these calls.  A prisoner should not be calling out of the country on the taxpayers’ dime nor spending 16 hours on the phone.  As governor, I will work to stop this abuse and repeal the free calls.”

The policy, enacted in the FY24 state budget and signed by Governor Maura Healey, makes Massachusetts the first state in the nation to require all correctional facilities—state and county—to provide unlimited free communication services to inmates.  The law has already cost taxpayers over $20 million annually, with that number expected to rise.  The Department of Corrections has spent $8.1 million for state prisoners and county jails have incurred $12 million in costs.

“Let’s be clear: no one is saying incarcerated individuals shouldn’t be able to communicate with their families.  But it is not the role of the taxpayer to provide unlimited, free access to video and phone calls,” Shortsleeve added. “There’s a difference between humane treatment and costly perks that undermine personal accountability.”

Shortsleeve’s campaign is proposing:

·       Repealing the free prison communications law

·       Redirecting funds toward victim services and crime prevention

·       Reinstating cost-sharing models that allow communication access without burdening taxpayers

“This is about fairness. While everyday citizens pay for their own phone bills and internet service, Beacon Hill is handing out freebies to felons,” said Shortsleeve. “I’m running to bring back balance, discipline, and commonsense to state government.”