Teach-In + Action! Advocate for Free Calls at the County Jail

Join us to urge the Champaign County Sheriff's Office to prioritize affordable communication!

The Champaign County Sheriff's Office put out a request for proposals (RFP) for a new communications service within the jail. Currently, families in Champaign County spend around $6 for a phone call and $13 for video calls from the Champaign County Jail, often racking up hundreds of dollars in expenses during a period of incarceration. From our research into other jurisdictions, we believe it is possible to provide two free 30-minute phone calls per day to each individual in custody at the jail. Across the country, state prison systems in California, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts currently provide free phone calls. 

By coming together as a coalition of concerned organizations, we can make our voices heard and encourage the Sheriff's Office to make a compassionate choice that benefits those incarcerated, their families, and the community.

After a short informational session where we will learn more about this issue, we will write letters to:

• County board representatives
• County Sheriff 
• Media outlets

Co-sponsors: CHAMPAIGN COUNTY JUSTICE ADVOCATES, ELLIOTT COUNSELING GROUP, FIRST FOLLOWERS, GEO SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE, UUCUC SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE, AND URBANA-CHAMPAIGN REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE