ACTIVE CAMPAIGN
Rhode Island
Across Rhode Island, families and community advocates are organizing to pass legislation that would make prison and jail phone calls free. Together, we are working to remove financial barriers and protect the fundamental right to stay connected with loved ones.
Connect Rhode Island Families: Pass SB 0128 and HB 5350
Families in Rhode Island are spending almost $1 million each year to stay in touch with their incarcerated loved ones, a cash cow for prison telecom vendor Securus Technologies. As a result, one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt, and of those carrying this burden, 87% are women — largely Black and brown women. Rhode Island’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 could institute.
We should be encouraging communication and connecting families, not exploiting it and tearing them apart. Senate Bill 0128 and House Bill 5350 would make communication in Rhode Island's prisons free for incarcerated people and their families. The bill needs a small budget appropriation. With your support we can get an appropriation in the legislative budget and secure hearings in both chambers for these bills, clearing major hurdles in the legislative process.
Several states and counties nationwide have already taken this important step, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. Many others are currently considering it because the benefits are clear. Tell your elected representative that it’s time to protect Rhode Island’s families and promote public safety.
Momentum is growing nationwide to make prison communication free. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Minnesota have already made the change, demonstrating what’s possible — and Rhode Island can lead alongside them.
Send an email to your elected officials using the form above, and share this page on social media to encourage others to take action.
