The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

The New York Campaign for Telephone Justice has been busy the last few months, and we wanted to bring in the warm weather of spring by getting back in touch and updating you on what we have been up to, and how you can get involved. The current contract between New York State and MCI ends in March 2006, and we need all your support in ending this unjust contract and bringing choice, affordability and quality service to the friends and family members of people incarcerated throughout New York State! Here's how we're hoping that you can show your support:

Check out our new campaign website and forward it on to all your friends and contacts: The New York Campaign for Telephone Justice has just launched our new website - www.telephonejustice.org. You can visit it for more information on the issue, to read family members speak out about the MCI-DOCS contract, to post your own story, to send a letter to your local newspaper editor, and to send a letter to your elected officials. You can also go to the site to find out more about Worlddom Communications­ - and forward on their PSA to your friends as well.

Join us on Tuesday, March 29th for our next New York Campaign for Telephone Justice meeting: Starting this March, we will be having a monthly campaign meeting every LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, to plan for upcoming campaign events and collaborate on this issue with other organizations. These meetings are open to all friends and family members of people incarcerated in NewYork State prisons, to all of our ally organizations, and to anyone else who is concerned about this critical issue. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29th, 2005, 6 pm to 8 pm, at the Center for Constitutional Right's office at 666 Broadway, 6th floor. Refreshments will be served. Call Dana at 212.614.6459 or Marion at 212.614.6407 to RSVP.

Participate in our monthly family member conference call: Once a month, we have a state-wide conference call for prison family members from throughout the State to call in to stay involved with the progress of the campaign, and to share their input. The next conference call is Tuesday, March 22, at 7 pm. After that, the calls will continue on THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. Call Dana at 212.614.6459 or Marion at 212.614.6407, or email info@telephonejustice.org for the TOLL FREE CALL IN NUMBER.

Join us for our monthly bus outreach: The New York Campaign for Telephone Justice joins with Prison Families Community Forum to do outreach every month at the Operation Prison Gap bus departure site at Columbus Circle. The next one is Friday, April 8th. We meet at 7:45 pm at the Starbucks on 60th and Broadway, and afterwards you can find us on 58th and 8th with the buses. Call Marion at 212.614.6407 or 646.247.6950 for more information.

Look forward to seeing you soon!