Norton Says Denial of Petitions to Stay FCC Prison Phone Rate Order Marks Another Victory for Fair Rates and Successful Reintegration

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Prison Telecomm Reform Working Group, applauded the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) denial yesterday of petitions to delay the recent FCC order to lower exorbitant rates that prisoners and their families are charged for telephone calls. Two companies – Securus Technologies, Inc. and Global Tel*Link – filed petitions seeking to delay (stay) the order, the Inmate Calling Services Report and Order, which could ultimately have led to its overturn.

"The denial of petitions to undermine long-awaited justice brought by the FCC order is a further victory and reassurance for the men and women in prison, and their families, who have fought to end prohibitive phone rates and kickbacks to prisons," said Norton. "I particularly thank Commissioner Mignon Clyburn for her strong leadership in pressing the issue forward and bringing it to a successful conclusion. The victory belongs especially to D.C. residents like Martha Wright and her grandson, Ulandis Forte, the lead plaintiffs for families nationwide in both the court case and the FCC petition. The decision is also a victory for the larger society. Conclusive evidence has long shown that to reduce recidivism and successfully reintegrate ex-offenders into civil society, contact and communication with a support system of family and loved ones during incarceration is vital. Today's decision brings us closer to a society with justice."

At a press conference in April, along with former returning citizens and their family members, Norton reported on the work of her Prison Telecomm Reform Working Group on the CBC response to the FCC notice of proposed rulemaking to make prison calling rates reasonable. In August, the FCC issued the order after more than a decade of delay.

See Norton's August press release on the FCC order: https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-chair-of-cbc-working-group-says-new-phone-rates-critical-to

Published: November 22, 2013