A4576 has been posted for a vote in the Assembly on January 11th at 1pm!

Please continue to call NJ Senate President Sweeney and urge him to post the prison and jail phone rates bill for floor votes by January 11, 2016. This will be the last floor vote before the new legislative session.

Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (856) 251-9801 (West Deptford)
(856) 339-0808 (Salem)

Here’s a sample script:

I am calling to ask Senator Sweeney to post S1771 for a floor vote. It is a bill to reduce phone rates for people incarcerated in New Jersey, including immigrant detainees. Studies have shown that maintaining relationships outside of prison helps with re-entry. Also, detainees need reasonable phone rates, not only to stay in touch with their loved ones, but to help prepare their immigration cases. Government and private prison companies should not be profiting off of those who can least afford it.

Calls of support for the bill can go to Senator Turner’s office as well:
(609) 323-7239

Our fact sheet on the bill is here.

Bill sponsors and status:
S1771 is sponsored by Senator Turner and co-sponsored by Senator Weinberg and passed the Senate Law & Public Safety committee unanimously in June 2015 and passed the Senate Budget committee in December.
A4576 is sponsored by Gordon Johnson and Benjie Wimberly and passed the Assembly Appropriations committee in December.