FCC bars high rates for long distance phone calls in jails, prisons nationwide, CBC, Congresswoman Fudge applaud it, Blacks and Black men in particular are disproportionately imprisoned nationwide by America's unjust and racist penal system

U.S. Representative Marcia L. Fudge,
 a Warrensville Hts Democrat who
also chairs the Congressional
Black Caucus of
Black members of Congress

FCC Reforms Bring Relief To Millions Of Families By Reducing The Cost of Interstate Long-Distance Calls, The Black Community Is Impacted Where Blacks, And Black Men In Particular, Are Disproportionately Imprisoned By America's Unjust And Racist Penal System  

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week took long-overdue steps to ensure that the rates for interstate long-distance calls made by prison inmates are just, reasonable and fair. U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio, who also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus of Blacks in Congress, applauded the decision.

"I'm pleased that the FCC has finally addressed a great injustice by issuing regulations to ensure prison telephone rates are reasonable and fair," said Fudge in a press release to Cleveland Urban News.Com, Ohio's most read online Black newspaper. 

"I thank the many citizens in Ohio and throughout the nation who joined the effort to press for change, " added Fudge, a Warrensville Hts. Democrat whose predominantly Black 11th congressional district includes the largely Black city of Cleveland and a majority Black pocket of Akron, a city some 30 miles south of Cleveland. 

Research studies reveal  that inmates who maintain contact with family and community while in prison, a disproportionate number of them of whom are Black, and Black males in particular, have reduced rate of recidivism and are more likely to become productive citizens upon their release.  Lower rates of recidivism also benefit society by reducing crime, the need for additional prisons, and other costs. 

In addition, an estimated 2.7 million children would benefit from increased communication with an incarcerated parent. Many of these children face challenges that are manifested in higher rates of truancy, homelessness, depression and other ills

But the exorbitant price of interstate long-distance calls from correctional facilities today actually discourages such communication because it is too expensive (over $17 for one 15-minute call), particularly for families facing economic hardship.  The FCC order takes immediate action to change this and provide an affordable means to encourage such communication.

The Commission’s reforms adopt a simple and balanced approach that protects security and public safety needs, ensures providers receive fair compensation while providing reasonable rates to consumers as follows:

·        Requires that all interstate inmate calling rates, including ancillary charges, be based on the cost of providing the inmate calling service

·        Provides immediate relief to exorbitant rates:

o   Adopts an interim rate cap of $0.21 per minute for debit and pre-paid calls and $0.25 per minute for collect calls, dramatically decreasing rates of over $17 for a 15-minute call to no more than $3.75 or $3.15 a call 

o   Presumes that rates of $0.12 per minute for debit and prepaid calls ($1.80 for a 15-minute call) and $0.14 cents per minute for collect calls ($2.10 for a 15-minute call) are just, reasonable and cost-based (safe-harbor rates)

o   These rates include the costs of modern security features such as advanced mechanisms that block calls to victims, witnesses, prosecutors and other prohibited parties; biometric caller verification; real-time recording systems; and monitoring to prevent evasion of  restrictions on call-forwarding or three-way calling

·        Concludes that “site commissions” payments from providers to correctional facilities may not be included in any interstate rate or charge

·        Clarifies that inmates or their loved ones who use Telecommunications Relay Services because of hearing and speech disabilities may not be charged higher rates

·        Requires a mandatory data collection, annual certification requirement, and enforcement provisions to ensure compliance with this Order

·        Seeks comment on reforming rates and practices affecting calls within a state

·        Seeks comment on fostering competition to reduce rates

Building on state reforms, the commission’s action addresses a petition filed nearly a decade ago by Martha Wright, a Washington, D.C. grandmother who sought relief from exorbitant inmate calling rates.  Since then, tens of thousands of people have urged the FCC to make it possible for them to stay in touch with loved ones in jail or prison.