TAKE ACTION ON PRISON PHONE RATES – CONTACT THE FCC NOW!
After nearly a decade, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action in 2013 and issued an order,
effective February 11, 2014, that capped the cost of interstate (long distance) prison phone rates. This led to an
almost 80% decrease in interstate phone costs in some states, and those costs are now capped at $.25/minute for
collect calls and $.21/minute for debit and prepaid calls. On September 25, 2014, the FCC indicated that it plans
to take further action to reduce prison phone rates, including in-state (intrastate) rates – which still remain high
in many jurisdictions. In fact, in-state phone rates are now higher than long distance rates in many cases.
You can submit a public comment to the FCC; even if you have sent comments before, you can resubmit them or
submit new information. Please write to the FCC as soon as possible, addressing any of the following topics:


Positive Impact of the FCC Order Reducing Interstate Calls: Let the FCC know how the rate caps on
interstate prison phone calls have resulted in lower costs or helped you and your family!



Negative Impact of Intrastate Phone Calls: While the FCC capped long distance phone rates, the order
did not apply to in-state calls, which make up 85% of all calls from prisons and jails. How much do you
or your family pay for in-state phone calls? The FCC needs to hear about this issue so they know why
intrastate prison phone rates need to be reduced, too.



Ancillary Fees: Do you or your family have to pay extra fees (ancillary fees) to make or accept calls, such
as fees to set up, add money to or cancel a prepaid or debit prison phone account? Are you charged fees but
were not told about them before they were charged? How much are these fees? Have they increased?



Importance of Prison Phone Reforms: Tell the FCC why it is important to enact permanent reform of
prison phone rates for interstate and in-state calls, including rate caps and the elimination of “commission”
payments to corrections agencies. Also, the FCC needs details about fee-based video visitation services.
Comments can be sent by mail to:
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW; Room TW-B204
Washington, DC 20554

Address the letter “Dear Secretary Dortch,” and please speak from your personal experience. You must state the
following in your letter: “This is a public comment for WC Docket Number 12-375.” Note that your comment
will be made part of the public docket.
People with Internet access can register their comments online with the FCC, by entering Proceeding Number
12-375 and uploading a document at this address: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display.action?z=nyy6z
For more information about the fight to reduce prison phone rates, visit the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice:

www.phonejustice.org