connecting families
OUR GOAL
free communication
Connecting Families is a network of national, state, and local campaigns fighting to connect families with their incarcerated loved ones by making prison and jail communication free.
Join a Campaign
There are more Connecting Families campaigns than ever . We can connect you to efforts in your state.
Contact Your Rep
Tell your elected officials to make prison and jail communication free.
Write Your Regulators
Tell the federal regulators to set just and reasonable rates for prison and jail communication.
OUR PROGRESS
For decades, incarcerated people, their families, and allied advocates have decried the high cost of correctional communication services and its destructive impact on society as a whole. But, in recent years, the tide has turned, and campaigns to not just reduce the cost of communication, but make it entirely free to incarcerated people and their families, have been successful.
Today, over 330,000 incarcerated people, and their loved ones, have access to free prison or jail phone calls, and in some cases, other communication services, like video calls, emails, and text messaging. So far, incarcerated people have made 600 million more calls, totaling 6.4 billion additional minutes, thanks to free communication policies.
330,000
incarcerated people, and their families, with fully free phone calls
$622 million
6.4 billion
saved by families, with 70% of prison savings and 82% of jails savings flowing to Black and brown families
additional call minutes between incarcerated people and their loved ones over 600 more calls
A NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Seven prison systems and nearly two dozen jail systems have made communication free for incarcerated people and their families. And we’re just getting started.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COMMUNICATION IS FREE IN PRISONS AND JAILS?
Incarcerated people emerge from isolation and regain a sense of belonging that becomes an igniting force for self-improvement.
Families, who are punished by proximity, experience life-changing financial and emotional relief.
Correctional staff enter markedly calmer and safer work environments.
The public welcomes home people who were more emotionally and logistically prepared to contribute positively to society.
“As someone who has been on both ends of these calls, I know their importance. Hearing a familiar voice — a loving voice — when you’re at your lowest can change the trajectory of not just your day, but your life. Under no circumstance, should the cost of a call prevent families from supporting their loved ones inside when they need it most, and certainly not separate a parent from their child. I was lucky to make it past that moment in my life and to where I am today, everyone should be given that chance. I’m excited to join Worth Rises and the Connecting Families campaign in calling for free prison and jail communication nationwide. The time is now.”
— CARON BUTLER, NBA coach and former player
