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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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.

June 28, 2014                                                                                      Submitted Online Only

 

 

 

The Honorable Tom Wheeler, Chairman

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20554

 

 

Re:    Comment for WC Docket No. 12-375

(Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

 

Dear Chairman Wheeler:

 

The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) submits this comment for WC Docket No. 12-375 for the purpose of placing into the record the following recent news articles concerning prison phone-related issues:

  1. “In Prisons, Sky-High Phone Rates and Money Transfer Fees,” by Stephanie Clifford, The New York Times (June 26, 2014).
  2. “The high cost of phoning home: Prisoners demand cheaper connection,” by Ken Stier, AlJazeera America (June 25, 2014).

These news reports reflect a continued interest in this issue by the media and the public, and describe ongoing problems which indicate that while the FCC’s Aug. 9, 2013 Order reforming certain prison phone-related practices was a good start, more reforms are needed.

We are further submitting an article published in the April 2014 issue of Prison Legal News, HRDC’s monthly publication, titled “Lowering Recidivism through Family Communication,” which addresses the impact of family communication during incarceration – including through phone calls – on recidivism rates of released prisoners.

Thank you for your time and attention in this regard.

 

Sincerely,

Paul Wright

Executive Director, HRDC