National Consumers League statement on inmate telephone rates – National Consumers League
April 26, 2013
Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org
Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) today reiterated its support for a cap on inmate calling rates. In reply comments filed recently with the Federal Communications Commission, NCL called on the Commission to set a benchmark Inmate Calling Service rate cap of $0.07 per minute with no per-call fees or other ancillary fees or taxes for all private, public, state, county and local correctional and detention facilities. In this effort, NCL joins with important allies like the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice and Verizon in calling on the FCC to create an environment where inmates can more easily stay in touch with their families.
The following statement is attributable to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:
“Having a loved one incarcerated already places severe strain on families. Being hit with the double whammy of extremely high calling rates to communicate with that loved one only exacerbates that strain. We applaud the FCC for considering this important issue and urge the Commission to institute common-sense rate caps that will allow inmates and their families to affordably stay in touch.”
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About the National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
