Building on last month’s successes, UCC’s media justice and communications rights ministry, OC Inc., and its allies are attracting increased attention to our fight against predatory prison phone rates.

UCC was proud that Rev. Jesse Jackson took the opportunity as the 30th Annual Parker Lecturer to denounce these prison phone rates as “exploitive” actions which harm “the least among us” referring to Matthew 25’s charge to visit those in prison.

The New York Times editorialized against the rates, concluding they are not just “not just unfair but also counterproductive.”   The American Prospect did an excellent story capturing the inequities of exorbitant prison phone rates, as did Salon magazine, calling the rates “crippling. ” The Prison Policy Initiative released a report detailing the reasons and impact of these burdensome charges.  Our allies at Center for Media Justice and the Media Action Grassroots Network have successfully procured a letter of support from Cong. Ellison (D-MN).  Support in the states is growing, for example New Mexico’s telephone regulators adopted a resolution asking the Federal Communications Commission to end the practice.

Most exciting, the campaign is getting support from the much-acclaimed movie Middle of Nowhere directed by Ava DuVarnay, the first African-American to win “best director” at Sundance this year for the film.  UCC OC Inc. hasdeveloped a discussion guide for congregations to use as a part of the education and advocacy campaign.  UCC OC Inc. is encouraging all churches to go out and see the movie and convene a group discussion afterward and post your thoughts on social media afterward (on Twitter following @UCCMediajustice and using #phonejustice and on our Facebook page).  Don’t forget to sign up to support the campaign and stay involved.