Prison Phone Justice

6/19/12

For the past (26) years, I have had to utilize prison phones to reach out and stay connected with my family, children, and associates. The prison phone system is very exploitative, and impacts our loved ones the most. Knowing that families of prisoners will take on "collect calls" at enormous prices. Just to hear their loved ones' voices on the other end of the phone.

When homes are being foreclosed, and job layoffs are at a record high, minority families are being forced to choose. To choose to pay enormous phone bills or pay the light/gas bill. Because of such conditions, many prisoners rarely talk to anyone by phone on the outside. A twenty minute call here in Indiana at one time was high as 40.00 dollars. However, due to many of the demands/complaints from families paying for collect calls, the system was changed here to a company called:

(PCS Daily Dial) which is a prepaid system, where prisoners are now allowed to order phone cards from the commissary at $5.00 per card. Also, our families can set up a (prepaid) account for us on their cellphones. When our loved ones' money is low, and there is no money to buy them off commissary, we can't call home. This is a very ugly hardship on prisoners/families alike.

This new system gives you (1) free minute to talk and manipulate your family into opening an account with (PCS). If they don't do it they place an automatic block on the phone you just called. So now the only way you can call home you must buy phone cards or set up the account. No money, no calls. This is exploitation because they realize as long as there are prisoners occupying a cell, there will be money coming to them.

We must demand changes by addressing legislation and Congress. Our families are innocent in this and should be respected.

In Solidarity,
Bro. Khalfami Malikkhzldun #874304
(Leonard Mc[?]) GCH/17-ZC
PCF 4490 Reformatory Rd.
Pendleton, In. 46064