Going to Jail... Why Am I Forced to Pay$$?

Going to Jail was the Turning Point in My Life

"I am involved with FREE! because going to jail was the turning point in my life. I hope to carry a message of hope to people (especially women) currently and formerly incarcerated, and others who have been through the various "social" systems (welfare, institutions, substance abuse programs, jails and prisons) as well as the struggles of poverty and degradation.

FREE! seeks to change negative personal and public stereotypes and break vicious negative cycles that are tearing our families and communities apart."
- Marion Rodriquez

Why am I Forced to Pay 60% More?

"I joined this campaign against MCI because I do not feel this contract is fair to the families of incarcerated individuals.

I don't understand why I am being forced to pay over 60% more than a regular long distance collect call just because the call is originating from a correctional facility. I should be able to have the ability to choose who I want to pay for my service.

There are too many unanswered questions for families of inmates such as, why is MY money supposedly paying for programs the NYS DOC should be providing in the first place? It's just not fair that I have to PAY to have my children speak to their dad and sacrifice something I might need to provide for my family with the $200 plus I spend every month on MCI's outrageous billing.

My husband has a very long sentence and if I could save the amount of money I have spent and will spend during his incarceration, I would be a rich woman!

Something needs to be done and that is - "STOP THE CONTRACT!!"

-Jovita Lopez, Wife of a NYS Inmate