Campaign for Prison Phone Justice

It shouldn't cost more to take a call from a prison than it does to call Singapore.

That's why we're part of a national grassroots project committed to fighting against the exclusive, expensive contracts that charge exorbitant and unfair rates to families receiving calls from people who are incarcerated.

In Minnesota, which allows a 49 percent kickback to the state, a 20-minute intrastate call ends up costing $7.60 and an interstate call costs $21.75. For low- income families, that makes it very difficult to stay in contact - the best way to help prisoners successfully reintegrate into their community.

Campaign actions
We're working to get the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to pass the Wright Petition, which would regulate prison phone call systems to ensure fair rates and services. As a result of our Minnesota delegation meeting on Sep. 30, Congressman Keith Ellison sent a powerful letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski (PDF) urging immediate passage of the petition to reduce the economic burden on poor and working class families. (Read this blog post by Danielle Mkali: Prison Phone Justice for Minnesotans.) The FCC is accepting public comments until March 25, 2013, prior to adopting rules on interstate, long distance prison phone call costs. Submit your comment now.

To learn more
Download the fact sheet (PDF): "Minnesota Prison Phone Rates and the Case for Reform" prepared by Main Street Project and Community Justice Project of the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Learn more about the campaign jointly led by the Media Action Grassroots Network, Working Narratives and Prison Legal News.

Read this article published in Insight News: "Dollars and Sense: The Case for Prison Phone Justice," written by The Community Justice Project.

Read this blog post by Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds: Children of Incarcerated Parents - Silent Victims of Prison Phone Injustice