While its been looking dismal in a federal realm, news from the Prison Phone Justice front in Texas may be an indication of changes bubbling up at the state leve
Federal regulators no longer are pressing to cut the costs of most prison phone calls, backing away from a years-long effort to limit charges imposed by a handful of private companies on inmates and their families.
After voting against comprehensive reform of the prison telephone industry, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is turning his focus to contraband cellphones in correctional facilities.
New FCC Rate Caps went into effect for calls from state and federal prison systems on March 17th. Most ancillary fees from all detention facilities were also banned, and those that remain were capped. Detailed information regarding current rates and fees, as well as information on how to file a complaint with the FCC if you are being overcharged can be accessed at: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/inmate-telephone-service
Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted a partial stay requested by the telecommunications companies effectively delaying last year’s Order by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate the prison phone industry.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a partial stay this morning preventing the full force of the FCC's inmate calling caps from going into effect.
The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) filed a Comment with the FCC notifying them of the Virginia DOC's prison phone rate of $0.0409 for all calls effective December 1, 2015.
The FCC’s order was in response to the Wright Petition – a petition for rulemaking filed by Washington, D.C. resident Martha Wright, who challenged the high phone rates she had to pay to accept calls from her incarcerated grandson.
The Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, led by the Human Rights Defense Center, Center for Media Justice, and Nation Inside along with a team of allies, prisoners, and, most importantly, prisoner family members--- won a major victory for prison phone justice today!
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in a long-standing proceeding to reduce the cost of phone calls made from prisons, jails and other detention facilities.
A company that provides phone service to prison inmates has lost its bid to dismiss a putative class action over its rates in Newark federal court, but the case has been stayed while the plaintiffs pursue an administrative remedy with the Federal Communications Commission.
This morning Texas CURE & the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice will deliver almost 2500 signature telling Dallas County to not eliminate in person visitation by installing video visitation only system by Securus.
For over ten years a coalition of organizations and individuals has been asking the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC) to lower the cost of calling prison, jail or detention centers. Our network, the Media Action Grassroots Network was at the forefront of the fight through our work in the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice. Together along with our allies last August we finally won! The FCC set new lower rates which take effect February 2014.
On Thursday November 21, 2013 the Federal Communications Commission denied a petition by two of the biggest prison telephone operators, Securus and Global Tel Link, and their request for a stay on the implementation of the FCC’s order on lower long distance phone rates from correctional facilities across the country.
On August 2nd, 2013 the FCC's Consumer Advisory Committee passed a resolution recommending the FCC ensure prison calls are reasonable and address the unique impact of phone rates to disable prisoners.
Some commissioners have vowed to ensure that the families that have been fighting for over a decade for prison phone justice have resolution this year. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel told families today the following: "When a decision comes before me, I want to be able to vote it first, I want to be able to vote it fast."
In a few short weeks, thousands of individuals and organizations filed comments with the FCC concerning the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Wright Petition.
Campaign for Prison Phone Justice and a broad range of voices across the political spectrum submitted comments to the FCC in support of prison phone rate reductions.
With one week until the March 25 deadline, 200 prisoners and 100 others have submitted comments to the FCC regarding the "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" on the Wright Petition.
On Friday February 1st, 60 people attended a public hearing on prison telephone rates in New York City co-hosted by Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice.
A reminder that tomorrow, Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice are co-hosting a public hearing, on Feb. 1st, in New York City on the high cost of prison telephone calls.
I just spoke with Kalia's* mother this morning. Here is the story. Her Mom cannot afford the high-cost and additional fees of phone calls to allow her daughter to speak with her incarcerated father
