Dear friends, <br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><br></div><div><a href="http://nationinside.org/campaign/prison-phone-justice/" target="_blank">Tell the FCC to address the high cost of prison phone calls</a> - they are taking comments until March 25th. </div>
<div><br></div><div>Local activists pressured Campaign County to end their unfair jail phone contract in 2005 (<a href="http://archive.ucimc.org/127.0.0.1/newswire/display_any/26909" target="_blank">Read the story</a>). Now people across the country are pressuring the Federal Communications Commission to address the issue nationally. </div>
<div><br></div><div><div>60% of the costs of calls from prison has nothing to do with the cost of the phone service provided. The vast majority of states receive kickbacks from phone companies, which result in much higher phone rates.These excessive rates further distance prisoners from their families, who can ill afford high phone bills.</div>
</div><div><br></div><div>The <a href="http://nationinside.org/campaign/prison-phone-justice" target="_blank">Campaign for Prison Phone Justice</a> is challenging prison phone kickbacks and the U.S. Prison Telephone Industry. Read their update below.</div>
<div><br></div><div><a href="http://nationinside.org/campaign/prison-phone-justice/" target="_blank">Tell the FCC to address the high cost of prison phone calls</a> - they are taking comments until March 25th.</div><div>
<br></div><div>thanks!</div>
<div>Danielle</div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><u></u>
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<p>Dear Supporter,</p>
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<p>Earlier this month the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice co-hosted a public hearing on prison telephone rates alongside Rainbow Push Coalition. Speakers included Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition, Rev. Jesse Jackson. We heard testimony from advocates, families and faith leaders on why the FCC needs to act now to set benchmark rates for long distance interstate prison calls. The hearing was held as part of the Wall Street Project Economic Summit in New York City. Check out this video with highlights of some of the testimonies delivered that day.</p>
<p>Between now and March 25th the FCC is accepting comments from the public on what they should do to address the high cost of prison phone calls. You can make your voice heard directly from our <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7P%2BJheIV1339%2FjmuRmbs6%2FHE9tIHe6oj" target="_blank"><span>Campaign Website</span></a>. Watch the video and then <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VREb4tae3rsRDZmesu30G%2FHE9tIHe6oj" target="_blank"><span>Take Action</span></a>.</p>
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