Campaign for Prison Phone Justice

The "Campaign for Prison Phone Justice" is challenging prison phone kickbacks and the U.S. Prison Telephone Industry.
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Media Inquiries

Paul Wright - Campaign for Prison Phone Justice - 561-360-2523

Press Releases

Justice Delayed: Campaign Responds to Court’s Stay
Justice Delayed: Campaign for Prison Phone Justice Responds to Court’s Stay
FCC Takes Further Action to Reduce Exorbitant Prison Phone Rates
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn issued a statement in a long-standing proceeding to reduce the cost of phone calls made from prisons, jails and other detention facilities.
Alex Friedmann, Associate Director for HRDC, Files Ex Parte Comment With the FCC
Ex Parte Comment for WC Docket No. 12-375 (Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)
HRDC Files Comment with FCC Regarding High Prison Phone Rates
In light of National coverage by the New York Times and Aljazeera America, HRDC urges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that more reforms are needed in the inmate telecom industry.
Human Rights Defense Center Supports AB #1876
The Human Rights Defense Center Supports California Assembly Member Bill Quirk's Bill to Prohibit California County Jails from Taking Telephone Commissions
GEO Group Objects to Shareholder Resolution
GEO Group Objects to Shareholder Resolution to Increase Communication Between Prisoners and their Families, Lower Recidivism Rates
Shareholder resolutions seek to reduce phone costs at private prisons 2013
Shareholder Resolution Seeks to Lower Prison Phone Rates at Corrections Corporation of America Facilities
As comment deadline closes, hundreds of prisoners plead to the FCC for relief from unreasonable pris
Groups say continued failure to act to lower the high cost of prison phone rates will represent a failure of democracy.
FCC Takes Action Toward Fair Prison Phone Rates and Stronger Communities
FCC opens Notice of Proposed Rule Making, marking first major step forward on issue in ten years
As the FCC Deliberates, Louisiana Lowers Prison Phone Rates
The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LaPSC) has voted to reduce the cost of phone calls from prisoners. Following the coordinated efforts of human rights organizations in the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice to lower the cost of inter-state prison phone calls, Louisiana state officials took matters into their own hands and voted today to lower rates in their state.
110 Organizations Submit Joint Letter to FCC Urging Relief for Immigrants in Detention
Immigrant rights groups nationwide join with the Human Rights Defense Center to call on the FCC for fair prison phone rates
Over 60 Organizations File Joint Letter with FCC Urging Cap on Exorbitant Prison Phone Rates
Groups nationwide join with the Human Rights Defense Center to call on the FCC for fair prison phone rates
NYT Joins Wright Petition Plaintiff
Leaders urge the FCC to lower the cost of calls from prison
iPhone and Prisoner Families
Today, techno-empire and mobile device candy hawker Apple Inc. (AAPL) is poised to release the iPhone5 to addicts across the globe, willing to stand vigil to get their paws on the latest hot product.
Groups Urge Rep. Clarke to Stand Up Against Prison Phone Kickbacks
Nationwide Research Finds Excessive Prison Phone Rates Exploit Prisoners’ Families
Brattleboro, VT – Prison Legal News (PLN), a monthly publication that covers criminal justice-related issues, released a report this past weekend at the National Conference for Media Reform in Boston that examines prison phone rates nationwide.

Press Coverage

Senators Push for Free Prison Calls in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill
Rachel M. Cohen, The Intercept, August 7, 2020

Incarcerated people look to U.S. Senate to cap prison phone rates
PBS, Associated Press, July 22, 2020

Many families struggle to pay for phone calls with loved ones in U.S. prisons
Lindsey Pipia, NBC News, December 31, 2019

US House passes HEROES Act advancing landmark federal action on prison phone justice
Insight News, May 19, 2019

Ideas: While Prisoners Struggle to Afford Calls to Their Families, States Are Making a Profit. This Must Stop Now
Clint Smith, Time, May 24, 2019

CT's Democratic Governor Is Stonewalling a Bill That Would Make Phone Calls from Prison Free
Rachel M. Cohen, The Intercept, May 23, 2019

Legislation Prompts Review of Inmate Phone Contract
Lisa Backus, CT News Junkie, May 20, 2019

It's 2019, And Phone Calls Remain A Luxury In Jail
Janet Burns, Forbes, February 28, 2019

State of Phone Justice: Local Jails, State Prisons and Private Phone Providers
Prison Policy Initiative, February 9, 2019

New report uncovers the cost of phone calls in over 2,000 locally-run jails across the U.S.
Prison Policy Initiative, February 11, 2019

Opinion: FCC Shouldn't Give Up On Reforming Inmate Phone Services
by Mignon Clyburn and Terrell McSweeny, October 20, 2017

Prison bankers cash in on captive cutomers
Center for Public Integrity, September 11, 2014

Progress in the Fight for the Right to Call Home
Center for Community Change Blog, September 11, 2014

Hall County Jail in Nebraska Adds Email Service for Inmates
The Grand Island Independent, August 19, 2014

Iowa shouldn’t profit from prisoners’ calls
The Des Moines Register, August 13, 2014

In Prisons, Sky-High Phone Rates and Money Transfer Fees
New York Times, June 5, 2014

The high cost of phoning home: Prisoners demand cheaper connection
Aljazeera America, June 10, 2014

Dialing with Dollars: How County Jails Profit From Immigrant Detainees
The Nation, May 8, 2014

David Ganim: W.Va. should stop collecting on prisoners’ phone calls
Charleston Gazette, May 21, 2014

New Rules Lower the Cost of Phone Calls To and From Inmates
Valley Advocate, April 16, 2014

Alabama PSC Could Cut Phone Call Costs for Prisoners
Alabama.com, April 9, 2014

National Prison Phone Justice Director, David Ganim, Joins the Prison Phone Conversation in Ohio
National Public Radio-Ohio State University Columbus, March 13, 2014

California Assembly Bill 1876- Prohibits County Jails from Accepting Phone Commissions
California Legislative Information-ca.gov, February 12, 2014

Prison Profiteers
, October 10, 2013

FCC Takes Steps to Lower Inmate Calling Rates
Broadband and Social Justice, August 7, 2013

Feds to slash cost of phone calls made from prison
CBS News, August 7, 2013

FCC Votes to Cap, Slash Prison Phone Rates
ABC News, August 15, 2013

FCC considers limiting costs of long-distance calls for families of prisoners in Ohio
Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 7, 2013

FCC to vote on lowering prison phone call costs
The Washington Post, August 13, 2013

Phone calls pricey for families of Ohio inmates
The Columbus Dispatch, August 14, 2013

Federal government reviewing prison phone charges
The Seattle Times, August 7, 2013

FCC to address phone charges in meeting
NBC News, August 14, 2013

FCC to vote on reduced rates for prison phone calls
CNN, August 13, 2013

Officials to vote on hig prison phone rates
Portland Press Herald, August 21, 2013

Prison phone justice campaign: Celebrating a victory
Twin Cities Daily Planet, August 7, 2013

FCC to consider limiting costs of prison phone calls
LA Times, August 7, 2013

FCC to vote on prison phone rate reform
USA Today, August 7, 2013

FCC to consider limiting charges for prison phone calls
FOX News, August 7, 2013

Decade-old petition for limits on charges for inmate phone calls gets FCC attention
Star Tribune, August 14, 2013

For inmates, their friends and families, talk isn’t cheap in jail
Kansas City Star, August 15, 2013

Sheriff’s office made half a million dollars from inmate calls in 2011
Fairfax Times, August 14, 2013

TN prison phone calls pricey for families, profitable for state
The Tennessean, August 15, 2013

FCC Moves to Cut Prison Phone Rates
The Hill, July 11, 2013

Wrong Number: Overcharging Prisoners Is Not Good Public Policy
, July 18, 2013

Dollars and Sense: The Case for Prison Phone Justice
InsightNews.com, March 6, 2013

FCC weighs lowering rates for Westmoreland inmate calls
Trib Live, February 7, 2013

Editorial: Limit predatory rates for prison phone calls
The Seattle Times, February 14, 2013

AT&T settles lawsuit on collect calls from prison
The Olympian, February 5, 2013

AT&T to pay Washington prisoners’ families $45 million in telephone class action settlement
The Seattle Times, February 6, 2013

Inmates’ request for lower phone rates no longer on hold
McClatchy Newspapers, January 9, 2013

FCC May Regulate Prisoner Phone Service
Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2013

Private Prison Payola
HuffPost Live, January 10, 2013

Campaign for Prison Phone Justice
Bill Newman Radio Show, January 9, 2013

FCC Proposal: Limit Burden on Families From $1.2B Prison Phone Biz
Colorlines, January 3, 2013

FCC Finds Prison Phone Calls Too High
Black America Web, January 3, 2013

FCC: Prison phone rates far too high
NBC News Technology, January 2, 2013

FCC Proposes Cap on Prison Phone Rates, Explores Two Companies’ Market Dominance
Bloomberg BNA, January 16, 2013

The high price of ‘cell’ calls
CNN Radio, December 5, 2012

Robbing Prisoner Calls
HuffPost Live, December 5, 2012

Phone calls to get cheaper at La. prisons
WAFB, December 5, 2012

Hi-Priced Cell Calls
CUNY TV, December 4, 2012

LA Public Service Commission to debate inmate phone fees
KTBS, December 13, 2012

Phone calls to cost less at La. prisons and jails
SF Gate, December 6, 2012

State PSC to lower prison phone costs
The Town Talk, December 12, 2012

Louisiana Prison Phone Rates
ktbs.com, December 5, 2012

Costly Prison Phone Calls Frustrate Families
Stateline, December 18, 2012

Stupid and Unjust: The Highway Robbery of Prison Phone Rates
The Atlantic, December 12, 2012

Minnesota prison phones: High rates, dropped calls, privatization and profits
Twin Cities Daily Planet, November 15, 2012

A Needless Charge for Prison Families
New York Times, November 14, 2012

Prison phone rates
Kansas City Star, November 8, 2012

Family Becomes Focal Point in Fight to Lower Prison Phone Rates
Colorlines, November 1, 2012

Facing Rates Of $17 For 15 Minutes, FCC Takes Up Regulation Of Prison Phone Industry
Think Progress, November 14, 2012

PSC defers vote on capping inmate phone rates
nola.com/Times-Picayune, November 14, 2012

Do You Hear Us Now? The Rally for Prisoners’ Families Moves on Washington
Take Part, November 15, 2012

Correction department’s inmate calling contract to go out to bid
MetroWest Daily News, November 15, 2012

Telecom firms, prisons team to gouge callers, group charges
PC World, November 8, 2012

State PSC considers lowering ‘sinful’ prison phone rates
The Lens, November 7, 2012

Prison-Phone Rate Cuts Considered by U.S. Regulators
Bloomberg Businessweek, November 7, 2012

FCC considers cutting prison phone rates
The Hill, November 14, 2012

Isolation on Both Ends of the Line
The Vindicator, November 21, 2012

Clyburn, families rally at FCC on cost of prison phone calls
FierceTelecom, November 1, 2012

40k Sign Petition Urging FCC Lower Prison Phone Rates
ColorLines, November 13, 2012

Another Voice: County inmates should benefit from phone call profits
Buffalo News, November 8, 2012

Correction department’s inmate calling contract to go out to bid
MetroWest Daily News, November 14, 2012

Human rights groups: Telecoms gouging prison callers
IT World, November 16, 2012

Group pushes for price decrease on inmate calls
The Advocate, November 14, 2012

It shouldn’t cost so much for inmates to call home
Times-Picayune, November 14, 2012

Crime Pays—for Phone Companies
Bloomberg Businessweek, October 25, 2012

FCC Looks Likely to Cap Phone Rates for Prisoners
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, October 17, 2012

Latinos in prison pay $1 a minute to call home
Más Wired, October 24, 2012

Pricey Prison Calls
HuffPost Live, October 17, 2012

Prison Phones Prove Captive Market for Private Equity
Bloomberg News, October 18, 2012

No más costly phone calls
Latina Lista, October 17, 2012

Prisoners’ crippling phone bills
Salon, October 10, 2012

The First Call Is Free; the Rest Are a Fortune
The American Prospect, October 10, 2012

Families fight the cost of prison phone calls
TheGrio, September 4, 2012

Curbing prison payphone costs: FCC’s Clyburn sounds off on new petition Read more: Curbing prison p
FierceTelecom, September 13, 2012

FCC could cut inmates’ phone rates
Politico, September 12, 2012

The Outrageous Costs of Inmate Calls to Families
WitnessLA, September 20, 2012

NY Times: FCC Should Eliminate Costly Prison Phone ‘Kickbacks’
The Crime Report, September 12, 2012

Clyburn pushes FCC to cut prison phone rates
The Hill, September 6, 2012

Costly Phone Calls for Inmates
New York Times, September 6, 2012

Flying Kites to the FCC Demanding Fair Phone Call Rates for Prisoners and Their Families
Truthout, September 12, 2012

Cost of phone calls from prison hurting family reunification
Oakland Local, September 13, 2012

Groups urge Congresswoman Lee to push back against prison phone kickbacks
San Francisco BayView, September 5, 2012

Prisoners urge FCC to cap phone rates
The Hill, August 15, 2012

The High Cost to Stay Connected from Prison
Metro News, August 9, 2012

Inmate phone charges obstruct prisoners’ rehabilitation
Boston Globe, July 18, 2012

Inmates’ families protest call rates in Mass.
CorrectionsOne, July 18, 2012

Advocates, Families fight jail fees
Boston Globe, July 11, 2012

‘Predatory’ prison phone rates: Civil rights leaders urge reform
The Lookout, May 9, 2012

Groups wants prisoners to get a break on phone rates
Marketplace Tech Report, May 17, 2012

The Criminal Cost of Talking to a Loved One Behind Bars
, May 17, 2012

Public News Service: A Mother’s Day “Hangup” for Prisoners
, May 10, 2012

Colorado prisons’ high phone charges invite scrutiny
Boulder Weekly, October 19, 2011

CounterPunch
, May 26, 2011

Goldman Sachs, your Daughter, and Prison Kickbacks
Daily Kos / Kites Team, May 11, 2011

Study exposes prison phone price gouging Prisoners’ families pay super-high rates, prisons get kickb
Liberation, May 11, 2011

Prisons Charge Inmates Criminal Rates to Use the Phone, Newspaper Charges
Seattle Weekly, May 19, 2011

Prisons Get Big Kickbacks For Phone Contracts, Prisoners’ Families Pay The Price
The Consumerist, May 18, 2011