Families in Virginia are spending almost $20 million dollars a year to stay in touch with their incarcerated loved ones, while prison telecom corporations like Global Tel*Link (now known as ViaPath) are raking in big money. As a result, one in three families with an incarcerated loved one falls into debt trying to stay connected, and of those carrying this burden, 87% are women — largely Black and brown women. Virginia’s families should not have to choose between paying rent or paying for calls with their loved ones behind bars. 

This exploitation is not just separating families, including children from their parents, but negatively impacting correctional staff and public safety. Incarcerated people who are in contact with their community are more likely to have hope, participate in rehabilitative programs, engage in positive behaviors while inside, and reenter society successfully upon release. Making communication free is the most cost-effective, evidence-based program a prison or jail could institute.

TO TAKE ACTION THAT WILL HELP CORRECT THIS INJUSTICE TO FAMILIES BY CLICKING ON CONNECT FAMILIES NOW.

We should be encouraging communication and connecting families, not exploiting it and tearing them apart. Senate Bill 1274 introduced by Senator Jennifer Boysko makes communication in Virginia's prisons free for incarcerated people and their families. The bill has already passed through the Senate and now heads to the House. With your support we can get it to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Several states and counties nationwide have already taken this important step, and many others are currently considering it because the benefits are clear. Tell your elected representative that it’s time to protect Virginia’s families and promote public safety. 

Send an email or Tweet at your state elected officials to protect families and promote public safety by making prison and jail communication in Virginia free.

TAKE ACTION TODAY BY CLICKING ON CONNECT FAMILIES NOW.