California, Maryland, New York, and Rhode Island Attorneys General Call for Review of Delay of FCC Order Capping the Cost of Phone and Video Call Rates for Incarcerated People and Their Families

Letter.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week joined eight attorneys general in calling for the review of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s abrupt suspension of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) order capping the cost of phone and video call rates for incarcerated people and their families, indefinitely postponing these reforms without adequate justification. Communication services play an important role in keeping incarcerated people connected to their loved ones and support systems, ultimately reducing disciplinary actions in prison, improving the likelihood of rehabilitation, and mitigating the negative impacts of incarceration on the community. These services can be provided at a reduced cost without sacrificing accessibility or safety, as California and other states that have opted to provide these services free of charge have clearly demonstrated.