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.

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.

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.

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 City¹ 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. 

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

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.

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

---

References:

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

2. Prisons are where America most needs vaccine mandates. Quartz, August 12, 2021.

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

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

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

---

If you're absolutely sure you don't want to hear from Color Of Change again, click here to unsubscribe.