California Attorney General Rob Bonta this week joined eight attorneys general in calling for the review of the Wireline Competition Bureau’s abrupt suspension of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) order capping the cost of phone and video call rates for incarcerated people and their families, indefinitely postponing these reforms without adequate justification. Communication services play an important role in keeping incarcerated people connected to their loved ones and support systems, ultimately reducing disciplinary actions in prison, improving the likelihood of rehabilitation, and mitigating the negative impacts of incarceration on the community. These services can be provided at a reduced cost without sacrificing accessibility or safety, as California and other states that have opted to provide these services free of charge have clearly demonstrated. Earlier this year, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition of attorneys general filed an amicus brief in support of the FCC’s order.

“States like California have shown that reducing or eliminating the cost of a simple phone call only serves to enhance public safety in communities. When incarcerated people are better connected to their family — and especially their children — they can better reintegrate into their communities upon their release. Stronger communication services allow incarcerated parents to act as supportive figures to their kids — this is associated with better outcomes for children and the communities they belong to. Incarcerated people who keep in touch with their communities have a place to return to, and return to prison at lower rates than those who do not have this opportunity,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Lawmakers and advocates understood the importance connection makes for public safety when Congress passed bipartisan legislation to ensure affordable and accessible communication services for incarcerated people and their families — yet reforms are delayed. I urge the FCC to review these delays in implementation and to move swiftly to give communities across the nation the best chance at building safety, stability, and a brighter future.”