John,
We’re 55 days from the midterm elections and we need Congress to fight for families with incarcerated loved ones.
Before members of Congress head back to the campaign trail, Color Of Change and our prison phone justice partners are urging Congress to pass the Martha Wright Act. This legislation would give the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) more authority to regulate how much prisons and jails can charge incarcerated people and their families for phone calls.
It would be a game changer for so many families across the country, John.
Predatory prison telecom companies such as Securus (owned by Aventiv Technologies) and ViaPath Technologies (formerly GTL) rake in billions of dollars a year by preying on incarcerated people and their loved ones. Their business model: Charging exorbitant rates for phone calls to and from prison — up to $1 a minute in some places.
FAX CONGRESS TO KEEP FAMILIES CONNECTED
John, we’re ramping up our efforts now because the stakes couldn’t be higher in this election with control of Congress at stake. Incarcerated people and their loved ones deserve to stay connected, period. The Martha Wright Act makes that possible.
Color Of Change has continued to contact members of Congress, meeting with staff, sending letters, and making phone calls. And we need your help now more than ever.
The pressure is building and we are closer than ever to passing this bill. Since August 1, seven representatives have stepped up to co-sponsor this critical bill. Our public pressure made that happen, and John, we can’t stop now.
Until Justice Is Real,
Sakira Cook, Co-Interim Vice President
Color Of Change
References
1. The Harrowing Cost Of Staying In Touch With Family Members In Prison. Blavity, 19 August 2022.
2. Phone Injustice: Profiting from Families of the Incarcerated. The Crime Report, 26 August 2022.
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.
