Last week, the United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, aided by Georgetown Law’s Communications and Technology Law Clinic, filed comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (WC Docket No. 23-62) and Implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Act Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services (WC Docket No. 12-375). This rulemaking process follows the FCC’s vote in July to lower rates and fees for incarcerated communications services in federal jails and prisons. The next phase at the FCC will address several issues outstanding after this summer’s historic vote.
Chief among UCC Media Justice’s concerns are reports of drops in call quality. The comments explained, “The FCC has implemented the Martha Wright-Reed Act, and advocates have successfully pushed some states to cover call costs, allowing incarcerated people and their families to connect for free. This is a big win for keeping families together, but emerging reports of poor call quality detract from these positive changes. The FCC must take action to ensure that communications services for incarcerated individuals and their families are of sufficient quality to support family bonds, mental well-being, and fair treatment.”
You can review the full filing below, or on the FCC’s filing detail page.
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Learn more about our work on communications justice for incarcerated people here.