Protesting Phone systems

[KConnor56]

Attention all those committed to working to lower MCI bills for families
of NYS prisoners:


January 2003


Dear Activist:

As a leader in the criminal justice reform movement, we are inviting you
to attend the first meeting of a newly-forming coalition to lower - once
and for all - the outrageous phone bills paid by those with loved ones
in New York State prisons, and to stop the continued exploitation of our
communities by the Department of Corrections and MCI. The Fifth Avenue
Committee's Developing Justice Project will host the first meeting on
Thursday, January 23, 2003, at 5:30 p.m.

As many of you know, the NYS Department of Corrections garners an
additional 60% commission for each collect call placed by incarcerated
men and women. Their claim is that these monies are utilized to
administer the Inmate Benefit Fund, which is ostensibly allocated to
provide services to current inmates. These fees cause tremendous
hardship for many working class families, and effectively charges family
members for services that the state is legally required to provide.

Many of us throughout New York State have long been outraged by this
practice. As we enter into the New Year, it is time for us to join
together and launch a cohesive, organized campaign. Our hope is that
working together, we can strategize ways for family members, advocacy
groups and the legal community can coordinate our efforts and build a
strong, unified coalition. The purpose of our first meeting will be to
strategize a campaign built on multiple levels: combining legal efforts,
public education, media campaigns and carefully targeted community
actions.

DATE: Thursday, January 23, 2003
TIME: 5:30 pm
PLACE: 151 Fifth Avenue Conference Room
Brooklyn, NY (between Lincoln Place
and St. John's Place)
*By subway: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, M, N, Q or R train to Atlantic
Avenue/Pacific St.
Walk 1 block to Fifth Avenue and 4 blocks to St. John's Place

Family members who have been core leaders within our group will be in
attendance. As this is a grassroots movement, we encourage you to
invite any directly affected persons you know.

Your leadership and expertise are critical for this campaign to
successfully move forward. Please RSVP to let us know if you will be
attending. If you cannot attend this meeting but would like to join our
coalition, please contact me at 718/857-2990 x41.

In struggle,

Kym Clark
Criminal Justice Organizer
Prison Families Community Forum


Kym Clark, Organizer
Developing Justice
Fifth Avenue Committee
141 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718/857-2990 x41
718/857-4322 (fax)

IN JANUARY 2003, The Prison Families Community Forum meets on Second
(2nd) and Fourth (4th) Thursdays of the month from 5:30-7:00pm! (that's
January 9th and January 23rd).

Call for details...

[rosepetal]

What was the result of this meeting?

[bella]

wish I could have been there!

[Nikp]

MCI is the absolute worst phone company on Earth. I went round and round on the phone tonight and wound up slamming the phone down in anger. The wanted $50 from me to even start the new service. I was at their mercy. I finally relented, (I haven't talked to my Dad in months) and then the rep told me she was sorry, because my husbands name is on the phone bill she couldn't start the service for me. I am not sure what I would have done had I been able to put my hands on the snotty wench!!
What can I do? Will contacting the Attorney General help me? I am FED UP. NYS does nothing for inmates, there is no such thing as rehabilitation. It is the biggest money making industry in NY- why would they want to make people NOT go to jail?

[rustydreams]

Talking to People in Fla costs me $20 for 15 minutes. MCI really sticks it to people. Indiana is about the best I found. About $10 for 30 minutes.