Michael S. Hamden - Attorney, Counselor at Law & Corrections Consultant

Let’s Campaign for FAIR RATEs

ORGANIZATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS AND MINISTRIES

Immediate, Concerted Action Needed

There are a number of indications that the FCC is preparing to issue a Final Order governing correctional telephone services.  In addition, Congress will adjourn shortly.  For this reason, if our voices are to be heard, immediate action is required!  Time is of the essence!

 

Many organizations, associations, and ministries have an interest in helping reduce rates for correctional telephone services.  Hamden Consulting is prepared to coordinate a collaborative effort, to work with others who are ready to take this bull by the horns, and those who are willing to assist in some way.  Hamden Consulting will gather contact info from people who notify us of their interest in being involved in this effort, and circulate contact information among those who express an interest. 

 

If you work with an inmate advocate organization, a professional association, a ministry, or some other group and can help to spread the word about this effort, please contact me at  Michael.Hamden@HamdenConsulting.com.  I will acknowledge receipt of your response and we’ll get the ball rolling as quickly as possible.

 

individuals

Immediate Action – WRITE THE FCC TODAY

Your voice counts – your letter can make a difference TODAY!

Although there is strength in numbers, and while both individual and concerted action would be most effective, it may be that you prefer to go it alone.  When discussing this matter, I suggest a focus on two specific objectives:  Please write the FCC to: (1) ask the FCC to exercise their authority to establish a fair rate for all intra-state and inter-state prisoner telephone calls that eliminates commissions while covering legitimate costs and providing a reasonable rate of return for service providers;  and (2) ask the FCC to require the broadest possible range of calling options consistent with sound correctional practices and security concerns, including pre-paid, debit, and collect calls.

 

  • A sample letter to the FCC can be found at this link.  However, your letter will be far more persuasive if you explain how high rates are affecting you and your family.
  • A KEY POINTS BREIFING SHEET to include in communications with the FCC can be found here.

 

Spread the Word!

Forward the link to this site to all your prisoner family friends and encourage them to write the FCC.

 

Get It Done!

Think of political power and influence for a moment.  Some of the organizations that have the greatest influence with Congress and other officials in Washington count their numbers in tens or hundreds of thousands.  Today, 1.3 million Americans are incarcerated.  About 6.7 million others are subject to government-imposed restraints on their liberty through probation, parole, house arrest, half-way houses, and the like. 

 

If only a fraction of these people and their families take on this cause, we may constitute the single largest assemblage of citizens ever united in a common legislative/regulatory initiative!