On Monday, February 13, the House Appropriations Sub-Committee: Transportation & Public Safety will be deliberating regarding SB 1274, legislation introduced by Senator Jennifer Boysko. This legislation is an attempt to address one of the issues causing unnecessary suffering for families of the incarcerated. More information regarding this issue is described below. Please read and (click on) consider taking action. Please take action today.

Families of the incarcerated 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. We all know this is wrong, not advancing justice in Virginia, and causing unconscionable hardships for families.

This exploitation is not just separating families, including children from their parents. 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.

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

Several states and counties nationwide have already taken this important step, and many others are currently considering it because the benefits are clear. 

Send an email to elected officials today, asking them to protect families and promote public safety by making prison and jail communication in Virginia free.

TAKE ACTION TODAY: CONNECT FAMILIES NOW.