The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls strongly condemn the FCC's announced delay in reducing the exorbitant costs of prison phone calls. By stalling, the FCC is failing in its mandate under the Martha Wright Reed Act, a law passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, to end the predatory exploitation of incarcerated people and their families by private telecommunications corporations.
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The FCC itself reports that these reforms would save families $500 million every year.
The facts are not in dispute. The FCC itself reports that these reforms would save families $500 million every year. A two-year delay means forcing vulnerable families, disproportionately poor, women, and people of color, to shoulder an additional $1 billion. That is unconscionable.
No one should be forced to stay connected to their loved ones through extortion. Parents should not have to decide between paying rent and hearing their child's voice. Families should not be driven deeper into poverty just to maintain the basic human contact that is essential to dignity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism.
This delay does more than drain families' wallets; it undermines public safety. Strong community ties keep people from returning to prison. Cutting them off does the opposite, fueling cycles of incarceration that cost taxpayers billions and devastate communities.
Our members know this harm firsthand. Many of us have been incarcerated or had loved ones inside. We have lived the impossible choices these predatory call prices force on families. The law is clear. The will of the people is clear. The FCC must stop bending to corporate greed and implement these reforms without delay.
The National Council calls on the FCC to honor its legal duty, stand with families over profit, and end this exploitation now.
About The National Council:
The National Council is an organization works to end the criminal legal system's forced separation of women and girls from their communities and loved ones through hyper-local organizing, public awareness education, movement lawyering, and the national FreeHer Campaign. Our mission is to end the incarceration of women and girls.
For media inquiries:agoode@thecouncil.us
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SOURCE The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
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