NO COST CALLS BILL S.2846
KEEP OUR FAMILIES CONNECTED
An Act relative to incarcerated person’s telephone calls (S. 1372) would require that all prisoners be given free telephone calls.
STOP PROFITING OFF OUR PAIN
Massachusetts families spend about $24 million annually calling our loved ones in jail and prison, but the actual cost of the service is about $6 million or less.
Predatory phone companies make more than $13 million every year off the backs of incarcerated people in MA and their families by charging extremely high rates then capitalizing off of profit margins.
The DOC and Sheriff’s Departments get almost $7 million of kickbacks which they use to subsidize their enormous budgets. Jail and prison budgets are paid for with our tax dollars.
Cost of a 15-minute call-in Massachusetts county jails and Department of Correction facilities the state would be able to contract for a much lower rate than currently.
-Senator Brownsburger-
FREE THE VOTE
BREAK THE CHAINS OFF THE BALLOT BOX
RESTORE THE RIGHT TO VOTE
The right to vote for incarcerated people was taken away in FY2000 by a bill signed by Governor, Celluci. The amendment was passed to punish organizers inside Norfolk prison who created a political action committee in order to more fully participate in elections as constituents.
People who are incarcerated are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and neighbors. All people including people in prison – should have a voice in shaping the laws and policies that affect them, their children, and their loved ones. Allowing prisoners to vote poses no credible threat to public safety, but disenfranchisement is dangerous to our democracy. Restoring voting rights to people while they are in prison will allow people to have more opportunities for positive and productive engagement with their families and community. To advance dignity, equity, and justice in the Commonwealth, voters are also encouraged to support.
FREE THEM ALL
THERE MUST BE A THOROUGH PLAN TO
RELEASE PEOPLE FROM JAILS,
PRISONS, AND DETENTION CENTERS.
FREE OUR PEOPLE
Decarceration Bill H4652:
DOC and Governor’s lack of action to release and provide adequate care for our peoples surrounding COVID-19. “The Decarceration Bill would require that some groups of people be quickly released from jail or prison, to decrease the prison population due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For people that have to stay incarcerated, the bill would require jails and prisons to provide soap, disinfectant, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, tissues, extra uniforms free of charge, free phone calls, and free emails every day and daily recreation time.
FREE OUR MOMS & DADS
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS OVER CAGES
PRIMARY CARETAKER BILL PASSED IN 2018