Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

In 2017, Reesy Floyd-Thompson, who calls herself a "digital wonder woman," said she had to deal with the shame of the incarceration of a significant other.

Her husband's incarceration also meant that calling him would be difficult, if not impossible.

"I used to maintain a side hustle to take care of these calls alone. My husband and I used to endure monthly bills as high as $500 to stay connected," said Floyd-Thompson, who headed an organization called "Prisoner's Wives, Girlfriends, and Partners," a support group for spouses and partners of those incarcerated.

Exorbitant telephone call rat...