We still need to STOP THE CONTRACT

Put an end to 10 years and $225 million of an illegal NYDOCS tax.Sign a petition to the New York State Comptroller and help expedite a new prison telephone contract to ease the financial burden on families with loved ones in New York State prisons.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/383/t/4089/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1379

It has been more than a year since we passed the Family Connections Act and ended the 57.5 percent kickback to the State on all prison calls.Tell the State Comptroller, who is currently investigating complaints by the phone company that previously held the contract, that he should approve the new contract now so that families can finally get the fair rate they deserve.

In related news this week, CCR attorney Darius Charney, made oral arguments in an appeal before the New York State Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the unlawful tax. We asked the court to reverse the most recent dismissal in Walton v. NYSDOCS and allow families to be compensated for 10 years of the unjust, illegal tax, which amounted to $225 million out of their pockets. It is also critical that the court rule in the case so that no future administration can bring back the kickback contract.While the relentless work of families and allies across the state got the Family Connections Act signed into law in July 2007, families are still anxiously awaiting the award of this new, fair contract, which was supposed to go into effect in April 2008.

The contract is currently caught up in litigation initiated by Global Tel*Link, a company that currently provides telephone service at all NY State prisons.Tell the State Comptroller that a fair contract is needed now.