The survey found that 27 percent of correctional departments received a percentage of profits from the gross telephone bill; the average commission rate from telephone companies was 28 percent. In total, 31 responding correctional departments received approximately $96.4 million in commission revenues from inmate telephone calls. The survey also showed that most calls made by inmates were collect. Every State and county in the survey granted inmates access to telephones for personal calls. Many correctional systems allowed virtually unlimited access to telephones, and the time inmates spent on the telephone was only restricted by telephone availability and the demand for telephone time from peers. Although inmates had access to telephones, privacy was not so easily attained; 27 correctional departments said inmate telephone calls, excluding calls to lawyers, were monitored and/or recorded. Detailed data on the survey of inmate telephone privileges in State prisons and selected jails are tabulated, along with data on charges for inmate telephone use. 4 footnotes and 4 tables