Friday, August 9, 2013

IT IS TIME THAT PHONE COMPANIES STOP RIPPING OFF FAMILIES AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS THAT NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH STATE PRISON INMATES BY TELEPHONE



August 9, 2013, Elizabeth, New Jersey


The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finally decided to vote on a resolution after 10-years to stop phone companies such as Global Tel Link (GTL) from overcharging attorneys and inmates and their families for phone service from county and state prisons.  For years this company and others have been paying the prisons with kickbacks and other incentives for the privilege to rip off inmates who need to communicate with their criminal defense attorneys. 

By way of example a one-hour phone call can cost over $60.00, and collect calls even higher.  These phone companies have a captive audience and take full advantage of that fact.  It is cheaper for my clients to call Asia from the Union County Jail than to call my office six blocks away from the jail in Elizabeth.

Today the FCC will vote to cap these exorbitant fees and hopefully they will do more to monitor these companies from ripping off criminal defense attorneys, inmates and their families.

Thank you for acting FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn for finally taking action to help protect our most vulnerable are incarcerated citizens.

“If you want peace work for justice.”  Pope John Paul, I

Law Office of Vincent J. Sanzone, Jr.
P.O. Box 261
277 North Broad Street
Elizabeth (Union County) New Jersey 07207
Office Phone Number (908) 354-7706
Cell Phone Number   (201) 240-5716

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