Michael

Formerly incarcerated, New York

To have free calls now — it’s more than what I think people realize. It’s our lifeline to the world. Our lifeline to our families.

Saul

Currently incarcerated, California

Today, I talk to my mom every day. I call her like three times a day. I read to her, because it’s hard for her to read. And we pray together.

Felix

Prison counselor, New York

As a counselor, I give them as much support as I possibly can. But I’m not their family. I’m not their friend. They still have a guard up against me. Being able to talk to their family, they’re able to get guidance that they wouldn’t really want to take from me.

Angel

Wife, California

My husband has a daughter. She’s 11 years old, and she is autistic. Not being able to call every single day, his calls with her would be sporadic. But now they talk every day. They’re able to spend an hour on the phone each night. He reads to her, and she’ll read to him. She is being so vocal since she’s been able to speak to her dad.

Tricia

Sister, Federal

He doesn’t like burdening people. So, I remember the first [free] phone call, him being so excited like, ‘okay, now we can talk about anything you want, and when we hang up, I can just call you back.’

Sgt. Mitchell

Corrections sergeant, New York

Their interactions with [officers] become more positive and constructive instead of negative. They have things to look forward to. They go back to their cells, get on the phone, speak to their friends and loved ones, talk about their day, and get advice and counseling over those phone calls.

Shelene

Mother, Minnesota

I don’t have the same resentments towards just communicating with him, which had nothing to do with communicating with him, but the fact that they’re taking my money and they’re robbing me was the feeling, just so that I can speak to my son. I don’t feel any of those things anymore, and it’s a far cry different.

Marc

Formerly incarcerated, New York

I got to sit on the phone and do homework with my daughter, which was huge — just kind of sit there and allow her time to think through the problems and not worry about it costing per minute.

Jasmeel

Currently incarcerated, California

These conversations create a pathway for empathy and healing and just a healthy relationship with my family and actually just hope for a future when I get out, knowing that I have people that I can go to. Without these [free] phone calls, that would not have been possible.

Dwayne

Currently incarcerated, Connecticut

I [hadn’t] heard from my daughter in over 10 years when I got a letter with a phone number. [Then] when I heard her voice, it killed me. I told her I love her, and that I’m going to keep in contact with her. I talk to her every day.

Nia

Wife, Massachusetts

When the calls became free, it wasn’t just a relief for me. It meant that my son could talk to his dad without me worrying about how much it was costing or how many minutes were left. That changed everything for us.

Ransey

Daughter, New York

The time on the phone is like church.