New FCC regulations threaten law that bars companies from raising telephone and internet rates to incarcerated persons

More than a decade of successful advocacy by the United Church of Christ’s Media Justice Ministry now faces a new threat—proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that would delay implementation of a law that bars companies from charging exorbitant telephone and Internet service rates to incarcerated persons.

Despite the government shutdown, the FCC is scheduled to meet on October 28 and vote on whether to reverse the goals of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, which was passed unanimously by Congress in 2022 and signed into the law in 2023. In 2024, the FCC adopted new rules capping the cost of calls in jail and prisons, and defended the regulations in court in April. But in June, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ordered the agency’s Wireline Competition Bureau to take steps to address what he charged were “negative, unintended” consequences of the new law. On October 28, the agency’s three commissioners will vote on whether to formally reverse course, and delay and weaken the rules that were designed to enforce the new law.

In recent weeks, UCC Media Justice, under the leadership of its policy adviser, Cheryl Leanza, organized three meetings of faith leaders to document to the commissioners and their staffs the negative impact the proposed changes would have on incarcerated persons and their families and friends, and how barriers to communications with prisoners can lead to higher rates of recidivism. Participants included the Rev. Kathy Dwyer, senior pastor of Rock Spring Congregational UCC in Arlington, a former board member of Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington; Maura Moser, of the communications staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Rev. Jennifer Hawks, director of advocacy for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; Lindsey Delks, policy advisor in the Washington office of the Episcopal Church; and Galen Baughman, a formerly incarcerated person now with the Just Future Project. The leaders provided real-world stories of the struggles of families face to keep in touch with their loved ones when are in prison.

Choosing between ‘I love you’ and paying for Medicine

Leanza also shared an analysis demonstrating that some telecommunications rates could increase by as much as 83 percent– and families will pay hundreds of millions more per year—if the new rules take effect. In anticipation of those changes, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has already signed a new contract that will more than double the rates charged for telephone calls to prisoners held in that state’s jails.  

Leanza said, “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 hope to rally at the upcoming FCC meeting to oppose the changes. In addition, persons are encouraged to sign an online petition, organized by UCC Media Justice and its partner Worth Rises, to oppose the FCC’s actions. 

For more information, see UCC Media Justice’s Fact Sheet.

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