You have to give credit where credit's due. @AjitPaiFCC just called out states for the hypocrisy between their recent racial justice statements and long-standing failure to regulate prison call rates, highlighting the disproportionate impact they have on Black families.

THREAD

Currently, the @FCC can only regulate interstate calls, meaning that instate calls, which make up 80% of prison and jail calls, must be regulated by states. But despite opposing federal regulation, most states don't actually regulate prison and jail call rates themselves.

As a result, instate rates exceed interstate rates in 45 states. The max charged nationwide for a 15-min prepaid instate call is nearly $25 as compared to $3.15 for a similar interstate call. And thanks to a new proposed @FCC rule, that interstate rate will soon fall to $2.40.

And, in his letter to @NARUC and states, @AjitPaiFCC didn't just acknowledge the @FCC's inability to regulate instate calls, he also explicitly called on Congress to grant the @FCC the authority to do so. Something Congress must do to guarantee long-term change in the industry.

There are bills in the House & Senate that would give @FCC the authority to regulate all prison & jail calls. Both are being considered for inclusion in the next stimulus bill with interim rate caps to give families immediate relief.

SIGN THE PETITION
https://act.freepress.net/sign/justice_prisonphone_stimulus/?source=worth_rises

Tell @SenateMajLdr and @SenatorWicker that families with incarcerated loved ones—many of which include essential workers in hospitals, grocery stores, and sanitation—need relief amidst the global pandemic and economic crisis as much as, if not more than, other families.

Don't stop there. It's a shame that a conservative federal appointee is doing more for prison phone justice in this moment than "progressive" state leaders. @AjitPaiFCC even uses a NY woman to illustrate his point. Ask @NYGovCuomo @GovNedLamont what they're doing for families?