Anyone interested in filing a complaint with the FCC in regards to the cost of collect calls charged by phone companies from prisons can lodge an electronic complaint at this URL: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html;

Novel....I accept long distance calls from Georgia to here in Ontario, Canada...I pay 16.00 U.S. for 30 minutes. A regular call (me dialing) would cost 3.50 Cdn plus tax (of course).... My Pen told me that the same call to his daughter in the same state, about 400 miles away costs 40.00...
I don't know the how's or the whys....

Nade

I'm in touch with an activist (grinning) in Georgia. Georgia takes a kickback on all calls. When he called it a kickback, at a meeting, they freaked and peaked...said it was a commission. My friend asked what the difference was, and maybe the media should get involved.

Nade, I'm given to understand FL takes kickbacks as well. This, if true, disgusts me. They can't chalk it up to "oh, well, you know...this is how prisoners pay us back for their keep" b/c the prisoner isn't the one paying the phonebill. Their family and loved ones are.

bumping up so it doesn't get lost...want as many complaints as possible filed <g>

There is nothing more powerful than "numbers". In short, the more people who make this an issue, the more likely it is to BECOME an issue.

Although State DOC's don't receive "kickbacks" on such services, they do receive funds (a commission) intended to compensate them for permitting the third-party vendor to install and maintain their long-distance service within state institutions.

Uh oh....I guess that IS a "kickback".

Never mind.

PLEASE NOTE: companies that provide comepeting service and lowered rates are currently under attack by "the big boys". Only FCC intervention will save them. If you think this post doesn't pertain to you b/c you are with an independent company that provides lower rates...please think again! If you think this doesn't pertain to you b/c the price of your calls isn't all that high, remember that w/o FCC intervention states are free to raise prices at whim, so think again! Please, everyone get involved and pass this on to anyone else you think might care :-)

My calls from Danny in cali are $19.00 for a 15 minute call!!! Yes my phone bills are outragious!!!!!
Thanks for the site info!!!
Michelle

grrreat idea folks!

mo power wit alla us stickin 2gether,
i dont get how we can be charged so much 4 calls,

my bro calls all da time
its 4.95 to connect and 99cent a minute
so 15 minutes is a grreat cost by da end o da month

LOOK lawdog im tryin ta clean up my language and still keep it real wit yall
Thanks for taking me back erbody!

shellymack... why dont you use one of the phone services to lower the cost of your calls? e-mail me at lyndsey@sunlink.net if you want to know who i use. My calls were almost $20 for 15 mins and now they are less than $5 a call.