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More than ten years of advocacy by the United Church of Christ’s Media Justice Ministry is facing a new challenge as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) considers regulations that could delay or weaken enforcement of a law designed to prevent high telephone and internet rates for incarcerated individuals.
The FCC is scheduled to meet on October 28, despite the ongoing government shutdown, to vote on whether to reverse parts of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act. This law, passed unanimously by Congress in 2022 and signed into law in 2023, was intended to cap costs for calls from jails and prisons. In 2024, the FCC adopted rules enforcing these caps and defended them in court earlier this year. However, in June, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr directed the agency’s Wireline Competition Bureau to address what he described as “negative, unintended” consequences of the law. The upcoming vote will determine if these changes become permanent.
UCC Media Justice has responded by organizing meetings with faith leaders to inform commissioners about how higher communication costs impact incarcerated people and their families. Participants included Rev. Kathy Dwyer from Rock Spring Congregational UCC in Arlington; Maura Moser from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Rev. Jennifer Hawks from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; Lindsey Delks from the Episcopal Church’s Washington office; and Galen Baughman from Just Future Project. These leaders shared stories highlighting how families struggle to maintain contact with loved ones in prison.
Cheryl Leanza, policy adviser for UCC Media Justice, presented an analysis showing that some telecommunications rates could rise by up to 83 percent if the proposed changes are implemented. This would mean families might pay hundreds of millions more each year. For example, Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections has already signed a contract that will more than double phone call rates for prisoners in state jails.
Leanza stated: “Last summer, without notice, public comment, or any request from industry or law enforcement, staff at the FCC suspended the rules. We are now working to persuade the FCC commissioners themselves not to make those changes permanent. The real impact is heartbreaking. Mothers are telling their children they cannot afford to call their fathers. Grandparents are choosing between saying ‘I love you’ and paying for medicine. Clergy and counselors are cutting back their ministry to people in crisis. For families already struggling, the burden of high phone bills has returned overnight. But research confirms what we know in faith: when incarcerated persons can remain in touch with loved ones, their reentry to society is more successful.”
Advocates plan to rally at the upcoming FCC meeting and have launched an online petition through UCC Media Justice and Worth Rises urging opposition to any weakening of current protections.
For further details about this issue and advocacy efforts by UCC Media Justice, additional information can be found on their Fact Sheet.
