Criminal Justice Debt, Fines & Fees Archives

Group Letter to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Supporting an Amendment to S. 1541, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act

Our organizations have long supported S.1541, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, because it will restore the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to prevent incarcerated people and their families and loved ones from paying predatory prices to communicate with each other. We write to recommend support for the amendment in the nature of a…

Comments to the Massachusetts Trial Court Public Access to Court Records Committee regarding criminal cases and internet access to docket entries and court files

The following comments are submitted on behalf of the National Consumer Law Center’s low-income clients. We write in response to your Notice of Public Hearing on the issue of providing access to court documents and records on the internet. We write to specifically oppose providing online access to criminal records and believe that doing so…

Group Letter to Congress in Support of the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act

September 19, 2022

Phone Justice Act, and S. 1541, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act.

Letter to Gov. Newsom Requesting Signature on Keep Families Connected Act

September 2, 2022

The National Consumer Law Center requests your signature on Senate Bill 1008, the Keep Families Connected Act, which would provide free phone calls in all California juvenile halls and state prisons and remove a heavy financial burden imposed on incarcerated people and their loved ones and support systems.

Letter Regarding the FCC’s Draft Order Addressing Carceral Communications

September 21, 2022

Joint Ex Parte Letter to the FCC re: WC Docket No. 12-375.

What States Can Do to Help Consumers: Criminal Justice Debt

September 20, 2019

Criminal justice debt functions as a regressive tax on a state’s poorest and most vulnerable residents. Approximately 4 out of 5 criminal defendants are too poor to hire their own lawyers, yet they often fund government with fines and fees.

Coalition Letter to the U.S. House Urging Passage of the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act

October 6, 2021

The undersigned grassroots advocates, and civil rights, consumer rights and faith-based organizations thank you for the opportunity to express our strong support for H.R. 2489, the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act, which would eliminate predatory calling rates for incarcerated people in the United States. We urge you to move swiftly and take the necessary…

Prison Phone Justice in Next Stimulus Package (Group letter)

September 10, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has overwhelmed many public systems, and the correctionalsystem is no different. Prisons and jails have become breeding grounds for infection withpeople crowded into tight quarters, forced to share cells and showers, and deniednecessary hygiene products. But in addition to the grave risk of infection that can onlyeffectively be addressed by depopulating prisons,…

Opposition to Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment in Pearson v. Hodgson

August 3, 2020

Defendant Securus Technologies, Inc.’s opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion to Alter of Amend Order of Judgment and certify question of law to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. For the reasons stated in Sheriff Hodgson’s Opposition, Plaintiffs’ Motion should be denied.

Group Letter Urging the FCC to Reduce Phone Call Costs for People Who Are Incarcerated and to Ensure Accessible Communications for Incarcerated People with Disabilities

December 17, 2021

Groups urge the FCC to reduce phone call costs for people who are incarcerated and to ensure accessible communications for incarcerated people with disabilities.

Group Letter Urging Massachusetts Legislators to Pass No Cost Calls Legislation

September 3, 2020

The Massachusetts State Legislature must act now to address the ongoing extraction of vital resources from families, predominantly Black and Brown, seeking to stay connected to incarcerated loved ones. We urge you to pass S. 2846 to remove the cost barrier to phone calls for incarcerated people and their families.

Group Letter to FCC Urging Adoption of Rules to Reduce Cost of Calls for the Incarcerated and Their Families

November 23, 2020

Group Letter to the FCC re: WC Docket No. 12-375

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