Friend, for far too long incarcerated people and their loved ones have paid an unconscionably high price to stay connected — all thanks to the greed of the companies that provide telecom services to prisons, jails and detention centers.

Thankfully, that’s about to change: Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to lower rates and fees for the communications services incarcerated people rely on. This vote is the agency’s first step in implementing the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, which President Biden signed into law last year.

In a minute, we’ll catch you up to speed on how we got here and what this victory means for incarcerated people and their loved ones. But first, we have to ask: Will you sign our thank-you card to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and her fellow commissioners? We want to show them how grateful we are for their action on this critical issue.

Here’s the deal: The Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act authorizes the FCC to regulate prices and fees for any telecommunications — including local calls — incarcerated people use to communicate with people on the outside.

The bill is named in honor of Martha Wright-Reed, a champion in the fight for prison-phone justice. For more than 20 years, Mrs. Wright-Reed fought for affordable prison-phone rates. Phone calls were the only way she could stay in touch with the grandson she raised and loved: As a blind elderly woman, she could neither write letters nor travel long distances for in-person visits.¹

The ability for incarcerated people to maintain regular communication with loved ones, legal counsel and clergy is a human-rights issue. Incarcerated people, just like everyone else, should be able to connect and communicate without being subject to extortionate rates.

It’s crucial for incarcerated people to be able to stay connected to their communities for a whole host of reasons, including their health and the odds of making a successful reentry. We’re grateful for the work of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the other commissioners, agency staff and advocates across the country who invested decades of work to make this victory possible.

Will you join us? Sign our card thanking FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel and her fellow commissioners for taking action to lower the cost of calls for incarcerated people and their loved ones.

Way too many families have had to choose between bearing the exorbitant costs of phone calls from prison and taking care of other vital necessities. These aren’t choices that anyone should have to make — and the FCC’s vote will ensure that tight bonds between incarcerated people and their children, parents, friends and loved ones can continue.

Thanks for all that you do,

Heather and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net

1. "Prison Phone Justice Is a Gender Justice Issue: The Legacy of Mrs. Martha Wright-Reed," MediaJustice, March 8, 2019