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[ [link removed] ]Power the fight for prison phone justice

John,

It has been more than 19 months since the first reported COVID case in the
United States and prisons and jails throughout the country have been some
of the most unsafe locations when it comes to uncontrolled spread of the
virus.^1 The problem is exacerbated by the fact that vaccination rates
among prison staff is far below the national average in a number of
states.^2

And while the pandemic still rages, incarcerated people have to deal with
absurd obstacles to simply speak with their loved ones because of
predatory prison telecom companies. Families have to pay up to $16 to be
able to speak with a parent or loved one for 15 minutes. John,
that is unconscionable.

[ [link removed] ]That’s why we’re asking for your support as we continue our nationwide
campaign for phone justice. Incarcerated parents who simply want to speak
to their children shouldn’t face financial hurdles. This is a level of
humanity and decency that every person deserves and should be entitled to
— and especially during a pandemic.

[ [link removed] ]Chip in $20 to help keep families connected

This strain is felt especially by Black parents and families, who are
targets of the carceral industry and prison profiteering and who have been
disproportionately impacted because of the pandemic.

This isn’t just about policy, John — it’s about people’s lives.
Phone calls are a lifeline for incarcerated people and their loved ones.
It’s how kids stay connected to their parents in the system. It’s how
parents with incarcerated kids stay involved in their children's lives.
These calls are crucial for the well-being of these families. And we have
to fight to make them accessible for all.

[ [link removed] ]We will continue to advocate for incarcerated people and their families
— but we need your help, John. Pitch in $20 to help fuel Color
Of Change’s ongoing campaigns for phone justice.

John, we know what we’re fighting for and we know the fight for
phone justice is winnable. Just look at cities like New York City^1 or
Dallas.^2 Both cities have made calls from prisons/jails free or have
drastically reduced prices for these calls. Color Of Change ran campaigns
in both, and as part of a coalition, we fought to make those changes
happen. On the federal level, we are pushing for the passage of the Martha
Wright Reed Act,^3 which would significantly reduce the cost of prison
telephone calls. We have to keep the momentum going. 

[ [link removed] ]John, that’s why we’re counting on Color Of Change members
like you to help ensure families stay connected:

[ [link removed] ]Donate now [ [link removed] ]Donate now

Your contribution will help us continue to fight back against companies
that profit off of Black pain and demand phone justice on both a local and
national level. With your help, we’ll have the resources we need to inform
the public about phone justice, push for legislation that will alleviate
the burden on these families, and run campaigns to dismantle the carceral
industry piece by piece.

[ [link removed] ]John, will you contribute on behalf of all the parents who
simply want to stay in touch with their children?

Thank you for joining the fight.

Until Justice is Real,

Scott, Erika, Rashad, Arisha, Malachi, Megan, Ernie, Palika, Ariel,
Madison, Trevor, Erick, Ana, Kristiana, McKayla and the Color Of Change
team

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References:

1. [ [link removed] ]States of emergency: The failure of prison system responses to
COVID-19. Prison Policy Initiative, September 1, 2021.

2. [ [link removed] ]Prisons are where America most needs vaccine
mandates. Quartz, August 12, 2021.

3. [ [link removed] ]Phone Calls From New York City Jails Will Soon Be
Free. New York Times, August 6, 2018.

4. [ [link removed] ]Forgoing Profits, Dallas County Slashes The Cost Of Phone Calls
From Jail. Keranews.org, February 20, 2020.

5. [ [link removed] ]Tell Congress: Pass the Martha Wright-Reed Act and Keep Families
Connected! Color Of Change Petition, May 2021.


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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.

[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation

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