Erick FernandezDec 23, 2022
For a year and a half I have been advocating for the passage of federal legislation that would regulate the prison telecom industry and the prices these corporations can charge families with incarcerated loved ones. It was an uphill climb and especially as we got closer to the end of the 117th Congress, but it passed the Senate on 12/21 and passed the House on 12/22.
May this bill be a step towards greater phone justice for families that have incarcerated loved ones.
Show threadJoe ❌👑
@ErickFernandez So great that something was done about this. The astronomical phone rates cut prisoners off from their families, leaving no one for them to talk to but fellow convicts.
Dec 23, 2022 at 3:09amWeb
Show threadanubis2814Dec 23, 2022
@not2b @ErickFernandez Its disgusting this was ever allowed in the first place, forcing them to pay insane amounts for what is essentially free to us.
Show threadJoe ❌👑Dec 23, 2022
@anubis2814 @ErickFernandez I'm old enough to remember the 80s, when long distance rates were astronomical and couples who were separated by more than 30 miles or so were paying a hundred a month or more (in 80s dollars!) to keep in touch. But some of the prison phone rates are even worse than that, and prisoners make far less than minimum wage if they work inside, and their families are often impoverished.
Show threadTakemusuDec 23, 2022
@not2b @anubis2814 @ErickFernandez You can’t call imprisoned people, they can only call YOU and they can only call collect. Collect calls are the most expensive call. Depending on prison telco there’s a per call charge (most $6-10 per call) + the high per minute charge. Most mobile phones can’t get collect calls so this forces families to keep an expensive land line. It’s a huge penalty on the family of the imprisoned often costing hundreds a month.