One long term problem affecting prisoners and their loved ones is the difficulty in communication, especially now in pandemic time when in-person visits are prohibited or severely limited. For decades, phone companies have profited from the plight of prisoners. We can all take action to address this situation.
Color of Change sent out an email in February: "Last month, United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, and our Phone Justice Coalition partners held a virtual meeting with about 30 congressional staffers. We want to share important takeaways from that meeting." They broke down why it was important for these members of Congress to co-sponsor the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act. This bill, among other things, would restore the FCC’s authority to stop prison phone corporations from charging incarcerated people and their families outlandish rates for voice and video calls.
"With lead co-sponsor Rep. Bobby Rush retiring after this term and with midterms coming up, the time for urgency is now. We must ask our members of Congress to co-sponsor the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act!" Right now this bill has no sponsors from Washington State Representatives.
- Click here to see current info on the bill.
- Click here for a letter you can download with useful information.
Policymakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that the cost of communications in correctional facilities is deeply unjust. Plymouth’s Peace Action Group has and recommends you ask your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor house-bill/2489, the ‘Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act’ by letter, phone or email.
--Adele Reynolds, Plymouth Peace Action Group