Lower the cost of calls from Prison!
Target:
President Barack obama
Sponsored by:
With 2.2 million incarcerated in the USA, many of you already know how much it costs to accept a collect call from prison.
Prisons are filled disproportionately with people who live under the poverty line. Fathers of children, sons of mothers, sisters of brothers and husbands of wives. While we understand the necessity to have to punish the guilty, we disagree with the practice of charging so much for those guilty people to make a phone call home because that punishes the innocent family and loved ones of the incarcerated.
We are asking that President Obama help us get a per-call cap on phone calls from prison. A rate that even the poorest mother of an 18 year old caught with a bag of marijuana can afford.
Please, if you care about this issue, send this to as many people as you know. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/lower-the-cost-of-calls-from-prison
Prisons are filled disproportionately with people who live under the poverty line. Fathers of children, sons of mothers, sisters of brothers and husbands of wives. While we understand the necessity to have to punish the guilty, we disagree with the practice of charging so much for those guilty people to make a phone call home because that punishes the innocent family and loved ones of the incarcerated.
We are asking that President Obama help us get a per-call cap on phone calls from prison. A rate that even the poorest mother of an 18 year old caught with a bag of marijuana can afford.
Please, if you care about this issue, send this to as many people as you know. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/lower-the-cost-of-calls-from-prison
With 2.2 million incarcerated in the USA, many of you already know how much it costs to accept a collect call from prison.
Prisons are filled disproportionately with people who live under the poverty line. Fathers of children, sons of mothers, sisters of brothers and husbands of wives. While we understand the necessity to have to punish the guilty, we disagree with the practice of charging so much for those guilty people to make a phone call home because that punishes the innocent family and loved ones of the incarcerated.
We are asking that President Obama help us get a per-call cap on phone calls from prison. A rate that even the poorest mother of an 18 year old caught with a bag of marijuana can afford.
Please, if you care about this issue, send this to as many people as you know. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/lower-the-cost-of-calls-from-prison
Prisons are filled disproportionately with people who live under the poverty line. Fathers of children, sons of mothers, sisters of brothers and husbands of wives. While we understand the necessity to have to punish the guilty, we disagree with the practice of charging so much for those guilty people to make a phone call home because that punishes the innocent family and loved ones of the incarcerated.
We are asking that President Obama help us get a per-call cap on phone calls from prison. A rate that even the poorest mother of an 18 year old caught with a bag of marijuana can afford.
Please, if you care about this issue, send this to as many people as you know. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/lower-the-cost-of-calls-from-prison
We the undersigned are asking that you put a per-call price cap on collect calls from correctional institutions. The reason behind this is that statistics show a lot of the incarcerated belong to families that live below the poverty line or close to it. These people cannot afford the rates that are being charged each time their incarcerated family member or loved one calls. While we recognize the importance of punishing crime, we do not see any reason why the innocent family members and loved ones of the incarcerated should be punished for wanting to stay in contact with those who may be incarcerated, but who are still important to them. These people include poor mothers who's sons are locked up for non-violent possession charges, wives who have become single mothers wanting their children to grow up knowing their fathers' voice. We are talking about law-abiding Americans, we are talking about innocent human beings. There is no good reason why any of these people should be paying upwards of $20 per call to speak to someone important to them.
We the undersigned recognize your commitment to human rights, to civil rights. In one week as president, you have already made it abundantly clear that you will not put up with human rights abuses on your watch. Here is a way to make sure the families and loved ones of 2.2 million incarcerated Americans have their rights taken into consideration, too.
Congratulations on winning the presidency, and thank you so much for your time. We are certain you will do the right thing.
We the undersigned recognize your commitment to human rights, to civil rights. In one week as president, you have already made it abundantly clear that you will not put up with human rights abuses on your watch. Here is a way to make sure the families and loved ones of 2.2 million incarcerated Americans have their rights taken into consideration, too.
Congratulations on winning the presidency, and thank you so much for your time. We are certain you will do the right thing.
We signed the "Lower the cost of calls from Prison!" petition!
# 1,076:
9:55 pm PST, Feb 6,
Shannon Sanders, Texas
# 1,075:
11:23 am PST, Feb 5,
Name not displayed, Texas
My ex-husband is in jail. Our 2 kids are truly the ones that are losing here for my ex's stupid mistake. They still need their father during his time of rehabilitation. This is just one of many of the prices that this entire family is paying for his mistake. The system shouldn't punish the entire family.
My ex-husband is in jail. Our 2 kids are truly the ones that are losing here for my ex's stupid mistake. They still need their father during his time of rehabilitation. This is just one of many of the prices that this entire family is paying for his mistake. The system shouldn't punish the entire family.
# 1,074:
2:49 pm PST, Feb 3,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 1,073:
2:45 pm PST, Feb 3,
Susan Walkingstick, Oregon
I am a disabled person on a fixed income. My son is in prison for 5 years and I am unable to talk with him.
I am a disabled person on a fixed income. My son is in prison for 5 years and I am unable to talk with him.
# 1,072:
3:01 pm PST, Feb 2,
Name not displayed, California
# 1,071:
6:26 pm PST, Feb 1,
Rebekah Fedele, Massachusetts
My husband is serving 10-12 years in a Massachusetts Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit. As if this torture isn't bad enough, I am forced to use the Globel Tel Link service which takes advantage of families who have loved ones in prison, by charging ridiculous amounts for collect calls and providing horrible customer service, if you could even call it customer service at all. I have been spending approximately 65-85 dollars a week on 7 or 8 twenty minute phone calls. Since I currently have an open case for having my own prescriptions in a pill container in my car (I'm being charged with 8 counts of class c possesion) I can not visit my husband. I have not seen him in 4 months and I was laid off 3 weeks ago. I can no longer afford money for the collect calls which in turn has made it impossible to contact my husband other than through the U.S.P.S. I think that it is so unfair that the prison system is signing contracts with these companies creating monopolies so that families have no choice but to spend ridiculous amounts of money on low quality phone calls that constantly disconnect and charge a "connection fee" and a "processing fee" on top of the outragous rates already being taken from our hard earned money. I truly hope that something will be done to stop putting money into these corrupt companies who can not even perform a satisfactory service for the amount of money they are charging. It is unfair and just wrong. Please sign this petition so we can put a stop to millions of people being taken advantage of. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who knows how painful it is to go to sleep alone and wake up knowing you have to make it through another day without your best friend...
My husband is serving 10-12 years in a Massachusetts Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit. As if this torture isn't bad enough, I am forced to use the Globel Tel Link service which takes advantage of families who have loved ones in prison, by charging ridiculous amounts for collect calls and providing horrible customer service, if you could even call it customer service at all. I have been spending approximately 65-85 dollars a week on 7 or 8 twenty minute phone calls. Since I currently have an open case for having my own prescriptions in a pill container in my car (I'm being charged with 8 counts of class c possesion) I can not visit my husband. I have not seen him in 4 months and I was laid off 3 weeks ago. I can no longer afford money for the collect calls which in turn has made it impossible to contact my husband other than through the U.S.P.S. I think that it is so unfair that the prison system is signing contracts with these companies creating monopolies so that families have no choice but to spend ridiculous amounts of money on low quality phone calls that constantly disconnect and charge a "connection fee" and a "processing fee" on top of the outragous rates already being taken from our hard earned money. I truly hope that something will be done to stop putting money into these corrupt companies who can not even perform a satisfactory service for the amount of money they are charging. It is unfair and just wrong. Please sign this petition so we can put a stop to millions of people being taken advantage of. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who knows how painful it is to go to sleep alone and wake up knowing you have to make it through another day without your best friend...
# 1,070:
1:15 pm PST, Feb 1,
Caroline Martinez, New York
My Benjamin is 25 years old, he has been incarcearted now in state penitentiary for the past ten years and before that in a juvenile detention center. I hardly got a chance to hold him and love him which seems so simple to some. I filed an appeal through the Cochran firm and now the supreme court appellate division decision is to refuse to review it. It is so sad, he was coerced into taking a plea for something he doesn't even remember doing. The judge and his own lawyer told him what to say word for word the Judge said he would help him, since he didn't remember what happened. For me to sit there and see this happenning right before my eyes is still inconceivable. He was set up and I need to prove it, the DNA is not even accurate. It had all began when our lawyer decided to whisper to my son that I told him to take the plea, which was totally out of the question, this was my fisrt born and for him to have to admit to such an hourendous crime, was beyond our personification, it was unthinkable and shameful. My son would never even disrespect a female, let alone violate one. He is now serving a 24 year aggregate sentence and a ten year post release parole after he gets out, which was never explained beforehand. We need to communicate, just to keep our sanity...
My Benjamin is 25 years old, he has been incarcearted now in state penitentiary for the past ten years and before that in a juvenile detention center. I hardly got a chance to hold him and love him which seems so simple to some. I filed an appeal through the Cochran firm and now the supreme court appellate division decision is to refuse to review it. It is so sad, he was coerced into taking a plea for something he doesn't even remember doing. The judge and his own lawyer told him what to say word for word the Judge said he would help him, since he didn't remember what happened. For me to sit there and see this happenning right before my eyes is still inconceivable. He was set up and I need to prove it, the DNA is not even accurate. It had all began when our lawyer decided to whisper to my son that I told him to take the plea, which was totally out of the question, this was my fisrt born and for him to have to admit to such an hourendous crime, was beyond our personification, it was unthinkable and shameful. My son would never even disrespect a female, let alone violate one. He is now serving a 24 year aggregate sentence and a ten year post release parole after he gets out, which was never explained beforehand. We need to communicate, just to keep our sanity...
# 1,069:
12:30 am PST, Feb 1,
Ross Hack, Nevada
The amount of money is no way reflective of a system that should be competitive and cutting costs. The effect of having less contact due to your financial status is so burdensome. I have seen this with my own eyes in prison. If some people could be on the phone for more time and less costs the stress of prison life would be greatly reduced, which in turn reduces the problems in prison.
The amount of money is no way reflective of a system that should be competitive and cutting costs. The effect of having less contact due to your financial status is so burdensome. I have seen this with my own eyes in prison. If some people could be on the phone for more time and less costs the stress of prison life would be greatly reduced, which in turn reduces the problems in prison.
# 1,068:
9:42 am PST, Jan 31,
Juditg Coley, Arizona
My husband has been in prison for over 20 years. When he first entered prison, he could call 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes. Each call cost about $3.00, so it did not break my budget. Now, he can call every day for 30 minutes, but who can afford the whole 30 minutes? Each call costs $2.85 to just connect the call, and .30cents a minute after that. By the time you add in tax, a 30 minute call can add up to about $12.00 for one call. Where else in this country are people required to pay this outrageous amount for a 30 minute call? Why are prisoners and their families victimized by the greed of the various corrections agencies in this country? It is time the FCC puts an end to this practice of corporate and corrections thievery. An article I read on this subject stated many corrections departments receive 40-60% in kickbacks from these corporate robbers. To me that is like I am helping to pay the costs of keeping my husband locked up. Without this added funding, maybe states would look at alternatives to locking people up and throwing the key away.
My husband has been in prison for over 20 years. When he first entered prison, he could call 2-3 times a week for 10 minutes. Each call cost about $3.00, so it did not break my budget. Now, he can call every day for 30 minutes, but who can afford the whole 30 minutes? Each call costs $2.85 to just connect the call, and .30cents a minute after that. By the time you add in tax, a 30 minute call can add up to about $12.00 for one call. Where else in this country are people required to pay this outrageous amount for a 30 minute call? Why are prisoners and their families victimized by the greed of the various corrections agencies in this country? It is time the FCC puts an end to this practice of corporate and corrections thievery. An article I read on this subject stated many corrections departments receive 40-60% in kickbacks from these corporate robbers. To me that is like I am helping to pay the costs of keeping my husband locked up. Without this added funding, maybe states would look at alternatives to locking people up and throwing the key away.
# 1,067:
7:09 am PST, Jan 31,
Laura Taylor, New Jersey
my son is in prison and it is a real hardship to talk to him on the phone. i worked at my last job for 17 years and now i am unemployed. Because of costs i never get to talk to my son and even harder to get the money to visit. It is a shame that companys are making so much money off our misery.
my son is in prison and it is a real hardship to talk to him on the phone. i worked at my last job for 17 years and now i am unemployed. Because of costs i never get to talk to my son and even harder to get the money to visit. It is a shame that companys are making so much money off our misery.
# 1,066:
12:19 pm PST, Jan 30,
Name not displayed, Oregon
Family is one of the biggest factors in prisoners not returning to prison. So they should be able to call family members and support friends to insure that they stand a better chance of not returning. With the prices so high family and friends can't affort to speak to inmates as offten as needed to keep the family and friends that are so important in the rehabilitation. And by cutting off friends and family the only relationships inmates have by the time they are released are those they made in prison, which increases inmates return to the life style that got them there in the first place.
Family is one of the biggest factors in prisoners not returning to prison. So they should be able to call family members and support friends to insure that they stand a better chance of not returning. With the prices so high family and friends can't affort to speak to inmates as offten as needed to keep the family and friends that are so important in the rehabilitation. And by cutting off friends and family the only relationships inmates have by the time they are released are those they made in prison, which increases inmates return to the life style that got them there in the first place.
# 1,065:
11:22 pm PST, Jan 29,
Teresa Weinbeck, Oregon
Over millions of loved ones are in prison. That means there are over millions of others that need to hear from these loved ones. Yes some can right letters but that is nothing compared to hearing their voice. One of the missions of the prison system is to rehabilitate these prisoners, and one step to rehabilitaion is improving family relationships. And the men and wormen that are in prison in the U.S. need the support of their families! It is encouraged that they talk and continue to enhance their relationship with their family so why charge so much for something that is needed. We are all human who need contact with those that we love, and the chances of rehabilitaion are much higher if the inmates have strong connections with their loved ones. Some people just can't afford to pay for the phone calls coming from their loved ones who are in need of support. This can significantly harm any relationship. Please help to lower these costs!
Over millions of loved ones are in prison. That means there are over millions of others that need to hear from these loved ones. Yes some can right letters but that is nothing compared to hearing their voice. One of the missions of the prison system is to rehabilitate these prisoners, and one step to rehabilitaion is improving family relationships. And the men and wormen that are in prison in the U.S. need the support of their families! It is encouraged that they talk and continue to enhance their relationship with their family so why charge so much for something that is needed. We are all human who need contact with those that we love, and the chances of rehabilitaion are much higher if the inmates have strong connections with their loved ones. Some people just can't afford to pay for the phone calls coming from their loved ones who are in need of support. This can significantly harm any relationship. Please help to lower these costs!
# 1,064:
7:05 am PST, Jan 29,
Name not displayed, India
Gpmgd
Gpmgd
# 1,063:
8:36 pm PST, Jan 28,
Name not displayed, California
# 1,062:
12:29 pm PST, Jan 28,
Name not displayed, Mississippi
For 25.00 through Global Tel Link we get to talk to our loved one 3 calls for 10 minutes.
For 25.00 through Global Tel Link we get to talk to our loved one 3 calls for 10 minutes.
# 1,061:
1:00 pm PST, Jan 27,
Catherine Sechler, Pennsylvania
# 1,060:
10:13 pm PST, Jan 25,
Name not displayed, Tennessee
# 1,059:
7:01 pm PST, Jan 25,
Name not displayed, Indiana
# 1,058:
6:37 pm PST, Jan 25,
Rob amereno Moreno, Arizona
# 1,057:
1:50 pm PST, Jan 22,
Name not displayed, Georgia
I would like to petition against charging jail calls because communicating is very importants on this earth and we would like to be able to communicate with people we love.
I would like to petition against charging jail calls because communicating is very importants on this earth and we would like to be able to communicate with people we love.
# 1,056:
11:29 am PST, Jan 19,
Name not displayed, New York
Collect calls should be lower.
Collect calls should be lower.
# 1,055:
10:26 am PST, Jan 16,
Name not displayed, Maine
# 1,054:
11:29 am PST, Jan 14,
Mike Smith, California
My Name is Mike Smith. Letter for petition of CA. Prisons Abuse My Fiance is incarcerated at Santa Rita in Alameda CA. I am the only contact she has, as she is from Asia. All their calls must be collect through Global Tel. Global Tel charges outrageous fees for her to call me collect. On Jan. 09 2010 I put $110 USD on their account so she could call me. She called the next evening and the call was dropped within 1 min. The connection fee was and is always charged regardless. She called back 3 times and the calls were all dropped within 2 mins. She called me again before 8;AM the next morning and we were talking 4 mins before the call was dropped. In 5 calls we were able to actually talk for 5 mins. My $110 USD was depleted entirely. I called Global Tel time after time and they never answered. I left 20 or more messages. When I finally reached someone, I had to place another $70 USD on the account. I bought several pay as you go cell phones with a local number same as the jail to reduce the fees, but it did not. The $70 was also depleted with 40 mins of talk. This is insane and such a mockery of what America says it stands for. This must be dealt with asap. Also my fiance tells me they are never allowed to go in an outside yard. They are forced to wear used panties and bras. She is small and the panties were 4 times to big and were stained. This is horrific, and a major health issue, as staph infections, herpes, Hepatitis and other infectious disease can not be removed with washing alone. And they are given no health care when sick. She told me of hearing several women cry at night with teeth and other painful infections and were not given any care whatsoever. Most everyone in her housing in number 25# is sick with fever and throat infections. These people deserve to be taken care of. If we can not afford to do so then we should stop arresting non violent offenders. Mike Smith Email; contact@travelersdigest.com
My Name is Mike Smith. Letter for petition of CA. Prisons Abuse My Fiance is incarcerated at Santa Rita in Alameda CA. I am the only contact she has, as she is from Asia. All their calls must be collect through Global Tel. Global Tel charges outrageous fees for her to call me collect. On Jan. 09 2010 I put $110 USD on their account so she could call me. She called the next evening and the call was dropped within 1 min. The connection fee was and is always charged regardless. She called back 3 times and the calls were all dropped within 2 mins. She called me again before 8;AM the next morning and we were talking 4 mins before the call was dropped. In 5 calls we were able to actually talk for 5 mins. My $110 USD was depleted entirely. I called Global Tel time after time and they never answered. I left 20 or more messages. When I finally reached someone, I had to place another $70 USD on the account. I bought several pay as you go cell phones with a local number same as the jail to reduce the fees, but it did not. The $70 was also depleted with 40 mins of talk. This is insane and such a mockery of what America says it stands for. This must be dealt with asap. Also my fiance tells me they are never allowed to go in an outside yard. They are forced to wear used panties and bras. She is small and the panties were 4 times to big and were stained. This is horrific, and a major health issue, as staph infections, herpes, Hepatitis and other infectious disease can not be removed with washing alone. And they are given no health care when sick. She told me of hearing several women cry at night with teeth and other painful infections and were not given any care whatsoever. Most everyone in her housing in number 25# is sick with fever and throat infections. These people deserve to be taken care of. If we can not afford to do so then we should stop arresting non violent offenders. Mike Smith Email; contact@travelersdigest.com
# 1,053:
6:25 pm PST, Jan 13,
Gracie Dueker, Missouri
I support this!
I support this!
# 1,052:
8:17 am PST, Jan 12,
JACQUELONE THORNTON, Michigan
ALLOW PRISONERS ACCESS TO LOW COST CELL PHONES.
ALLOW PRISONERS ACCESS TO LOW COST CELL PHONES.
# 1,051:
7:22 pm PST, Jan 10,
Name not displayed, Arizona
MY BOYFRIEND IS IN JAIL AND I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED. WITH THE CALLS PRICED UP TO $5.00 FOR 15 MINUTE CALLS, I CANT AFFORD TO PAY THEM. SOMETIMES WE GO WEEKS WITHOUT TALKING TO EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF THE PRICE. PLEASE, EITHER MAKE THE CALLS LONGER, OR LOWER THE COST. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CANT TALK TO THERE LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
MY BOYFRIEND IS IN JAIL AND I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED. WITH THE CALLS PRICED UP TO $5.00 FOR 15 MINUTE CALLS, I CANT AFFORD TO PAY THEM. SOMETIMES WE GO WEEKS WITHOUT TALKING TO EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF THE PRICE. PLEASE, EITHER MAKE THE CALLS LONGER, OR LOWER THE COST. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CANT TALK TO THERE LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
