Attention all IPT Members:

[ielene]

Attention all IPT members:
 
As most of you already know there is a phone campaign to reduce the price of phone calls for Illinois inmates.   If you are new to the IPT and have not yet signed the online petition, please do so by clicking on this link:
http://www.illinoistelephonejustice.com
 
IPT is a wonderful place to get the support we need from others, who are also going through the same things. When no one else understands we can always depend on IPT to get us through whatever crisis we are having at different times. While our friends and family sometimes don’t understand the impact of having an incarcerated loved one, our IPT family understands how emotionally consuming and financially draining it can be.
 
We have all experienced the high cost of telephone calls.  We all know how important the calls are for our inmates to feel connected to us and the outside world. 
 
Dazzler, Forevermah, Jims and Scout and all Staff work very hard day and night keeping IPT up and running and a safe place we can all share. They are also very involved with prison issues that will help those incarcerated.
 
Right now they need us to give back to them some of the support they have offered us through IPT. They have been working on the Phone Campaign for a year now and more signatures are needed. If every active member could get 13 signatures (that is ONE page) we could be well on our way to cheaper phone bills.  In my experience, getting signatures on this petition is not difficult as many others are also experiencing the high cost of calls. This is something that affects everyone, and 13 signatures is not many to gather, but could make a huge impact at winning this phone war.
 
IPT is growing each and every day and if we can win this Campaign on Telephone Justice it would open new doors for IPT. Who knows - maybe some day we can get better living conditions, food and hopefully some rehabilitation in the prison system.  One step at a time and the first step is to lower the cost of inmate phone calls.
 
SO LET’S ALL BAND TOGETHER AS A FAMILY AND GET THE SIGNATURES WE NEED. THE PETITIONS CAN BE PRINTED OUT AT THE LINK ABOVE. IF YOU ARE FEELING REALY MOTIVATED YOU CAN ALSO PRINT OUT THE PETITION FOR EARNED RELESE AND GET SIGNATURES AT THE SAME TIME.  THE CER PETITION CAN BE PRINTED HERE:
http://www.ilcer.org/howyoucanhelp.html

[Dazzler]

I'd like to make an additional comment and update everyone about this Campaign for Telephone Justice.  Scout, Mah and I will be meeting Monday, Feb. 4th, with Lauren Melodie of the Center for Constituional Rights from New York.  She was behind the successful DOC phone campaign for New York state inmates and their families.  The Center has offered it's full support and expertise to us to win our phone war in Illinois.  We are looking forward to meeting with her and getting this Campaign moving this year.  Please continue to gather signatures to end the high cost of our phone calls here in Illinois.

The Phone War is going to be a primary focus of our forum this coming year...something that will benefit everyone who communicates with inmates in Illinois...families, attorneys, friends...

[Dazzler]

Mah, Scout and I met with Lauren today and had a very productive meeting.  She thinks our Illinois campaign can be won in one year.  She gave us some wonderful suggestions and advice.  She was impressed that we have so many activist groups, prison organizations, etc. as members of IPT and we've got a wonderful database of contacts, something New York did not have before it began it's phone campaign.  We have about 600 signatures on our online phone petition and another couple hundred on paper petitions.  We need more signatures before we approach any legislators...which is going to be our next step.  We need some friendly legislators to propose our bill to the State.  We also need to collect all available information about Consolidated's contract with the IDOC, the amount of $$$ paid in commissions to the DOC and those responsible for negotiating their contract.  We need to draft the text of the proposed legislation and we need to get others involved. 

A first step will be to form a committee of IPT members that are willing to work on the campaign.  If you'd like to volunteer to be on this committee please leave your name in a post. 

What New York accomplished is amazing.  And it was done by inmate families with the help of the Center for Constitutional Rights.  The NYDOC was raking in over 25 million dollars a year in commissions from MCI..the inmate telephone company...and this came from inmate families.  The Governor eventually cut the cost of calls in half and the connection fee.  Through further negotiations he lowered it even more....and out of staters pay the same rate as instate calls....I believe 16 cents per minute and a little over one dollar for a connection fee.  International calls are also permitted. 

This is going to be a priority here this year...so who's going to volunteer for the Committee?

[Scout]

I believe that it's actually 6 cents per minute...but we'd have to confirm that with Lauren.

[Dazzler]

Okay, maybe that's what she said...she'll be sending us her notes.....

[SMD]

so who's going to volunteer for the Committee?


What would you have to be doing?

                                                       SMD

[jlnjy]

Ielene I will volunteer to help in however I can.

I do have a question, if I get the persons verbal permission, can I add it to the list or do I need the hard copy of the signatures only. Once I have the hard copy signatures, can I post the information to the online link or submit it elsewhere?

Thanks

JL

[ielene]

After you print the petitions there is an address at the bottom of the page that goes to Dazzlers P.O box. As far as having consent I don't have the answer for that but just to be safe I would just do the paper.

[Dazzler]

Yes, if you'd like you can transfer your signatures to the online petiton.  That's fine.

[Dazzler]

I'm telling you members now that Scout has found the contract between Consolidated Communications and the IDOC...and I'll tell you....you are going to be ******** off when you see how much money the state is making off of inmate families for these phone calls....it's gonna make New York's look like chicken feed.....OMG...

Scout will be posting the contract tomorrow....unfriggenreal....

[jlnjy]

I'm bracing myself for the feeling of being taken advantage of with those rates but I also know its going to be the fuel for my fire to help put an end to the abuse.

[momm316]

I guess I have been very naive again because I know the price of collect calls
is very high, but it sounds like it is very much out of line.  The 20 years my
son was in a maximum security prison, he didn't call very much, so it wasn't
too much of a financial inconvenience, but since he has been in a medium
(August), our monthly Consolidated bill has been very high.  My husband
pays that bill and complained about it recently.  So the next time I saw from
the caller ID that it was  my son, I wasn't gonna answer it, but my husband
said go ahead.  However, it is a lot of money when he calls two or three
times a week.  I don't think he realizes how much it is and how often he's
calling. 

So, I'll be very much interested in hearing the details of the Consolidated
and IDOC relationship.

Thanks for all you folks do for IPT members.

Blessings,
Momm316

[WAID]

Please don't tell me it's more that what is already on the ICTJ web site:

‘During Fiscal Year 2006, the Department of Corrections received $5,299,992.00 in telephone commissions, per the Comptroller's website.'

That's highway robbery as it is! We are tax paying, law abiding, voting, consumers that pay for that service & we shouldn't stand for it!
Aren't politicians or government employees who take bribes & kickbacks supposed to go to jail? Then wasn't there a law passed about utilities not being able to monopolize, we consumers should have a choice in providers. If anybody gets commisions, it should be us, like credit cards paying me back incentives for using them.
Seriously, this is ******* me off again & I don't even know how much it is.

[Schrader42]

I'd like to see that contract with them.  I'm sure I'd be ******** but if any help os needed, please let me know.  I'm willing to do whatever just to get these bills lowered.

[Scout]

I'll be posting the contract tonight, I want to convert it to PDF so it's easier to open (and read), I can only do that at work. 

[Favored23]

I WILL PROBABLY BE PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR WHEN I SEE IT. 

LADIES COUNT ME IN!!!!!!!!!!  LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP!!!

[ielene]

What can I do to help? just let me know.

[walking_stick]

count me in too... anything i can do i will.

[Dazzler]

Well, I'm hoping that soon we're going to start a calling campaign to the director of the DOC and the governor's office...and let it be known that we don't want another contract signed with Consolidated that is putting astronomical profits into the State's pocket while breaking the back of inmate family members.  It's outrageous!  We need more petitions signed.  The state makes so much money in kickback commissions that they pay NOTHING...not one dime to Consolidated for providing inmate phone calls....they just reap the rewards...and they are incredible.

[downtownchicago]

We need a lawsuit.  Sorry, I need to review this entire issue.  Do we have an attorney already ?  I know there was a prior lawsuit.  I think with this new data we can prove that we're being unfairly taxed.  We're not just paying for the service, we're grossly OVERPAYING.

[Dazzler]

I'm sure if the situation warrants it we will have plenty of legal representation.  We're going to start by appealing to the IDOC Director and the Governor and the PUBLIC.  We have several friendly state legislators we will approach after we draft some legislation.  This may be a combination of litagation and legislation before it's all over.  We need to make noise, we need to shut down some switchboards again...anything and everything that's possible to bring this to everyone's attention. 

Gov. Spitzer was appalled when it was brought to his attention in New York....let's see if Blago is....

With the history our State and IDOC already have of insider payoffs I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we don't uncover something really rotten...the former IDOC director, Snyder, is already under federal indictment for taking bribes for contracting the Medical Services for our inmates.

I think we need to start collecting BILLS...CONSOLIDATED BILLS....you can just blacken out your name and phone number if anyone is worried about it....

Those who haven't signed the online petiton need to do so and leave their comments.  The link is in another thread in this forum.  Also...download a paper petition and get your friends, families, co-workers to sign these petitions.  One in every four Illinoisans are affected by someone being incarcerated in the IDOC or a County Jail.  That's a staggering number but it shows what support is available from people we might not even think are affected.

 

[Scout]

Surprisingly I'm able to access from work...that was stopped a few weeks back.  Today I updated my Internet Explorer and here I am. :)

Anyway...I've converted the contract to PDF and have attached it here.

[Dazzler]

I've been calling the contact persons involved with this contract...one seems to no longer be with Consolidated and the State representative's number 'is being check for trouble'.....got that right....

[downtownchicago]

I'm looking at the appeals court decision for that prior phone lawsuit, Arsberry v. State of Illinois, and the opinion IMHO tells us what we need to do.  Here are excerpts.

A customer or competitor can challenge the tariff before the agency itself, and if disappointed with the agency's response can seek judicial review, 47 U.S.C. sec.sec. 204(a) (2)(C), 402, but it cannot ask the court in any other type of suit (such as this civil rights and antitrust suit) to invalidate or modify the tariff. Nor can it seek damages based on the difference between the actual tariff and a hypothetical lawful tariff. That would require the court to determine the lawful tariff, and this is not regarded as a proper judicial function.


By what combination of taxes and user charges the state covers the expense of prisons is hardly an issue for the federal courts to resolve.


But here the fact that it is not a tax but a tariffed rate bites. A claim of discriminatory tariffed telephone rates is precisely the kind of claim that is within the primary jurisdiction of the telephone regulators. The plaintiffs are asking us to compare the rates on inmate calls with rates on comparable calls of other persons; that is what we cannot do but the regulatory agencies can.


I think we need to file a complaint with the FCC.  Has this ever been done ?   We need to complain only about the excessively high rates "and if disappointed with the agency's response can seek judicial review".   Does everyone else agree ? 

[Dazzler]

Yes, DTC we're familiar with the old ruling.  Scout was an original party to this suit.  It was filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, same people working with us now.  I believe Bobby Rush is working on the FCC with his federal proposed legislation...which doesn't seem to moving btw.

It's probably going to be necessary for us to involve CUB...Citizens Utility Board in our campaign.   Right now we need to get some type of attention to the outrageous bills...and hopefully some legislation drafted that would forbid the IDOC from taking kickbacks...this is what Gov. Spitzer did in New York.  The profits from the outrageous rates we are paying are being turned over to the DOC as perks....

[Scout]

I also have information about the tarriff rates, ironically I found two, one for Illinois in general (which includes collect calls from correctional institutions) and one just for Illinois collect call from correctional institutions (I'm assuming contractual).  I'll post those later today.

[ielene]

As far as signatures go can we circulate a petition over the net?

[downtownchicago]

Scout, funny that you posted about the rates because I too just found some docs on Consolidated's web site and I posted info in the main Phone Service thread.  Why are we not allowed the pre-paid $2.50 for first 15 minutes and $2.50 for additional 15 minutes rate ?????????????

There are several rate plans, three collect call plans and one pre-paid plan.  Who determines which plan is in effect ?  Does Consolidated offer all plans to all customers ?  Or does IDOC pick the plan ????   I was never offered anything other than the Rate Plan #1 collect call scheme.

[Dazzler]

Ielene, our petition is online and it has been for about a year now.  The link to the ipetition page is in the forum also.  Last time I looked we had 594 signatures....and not all of them are from IPT members....many are just the public who think it is also outrageous...

[ielene]

Sorry, what I ment was through e-mails.

[downtownchicago]

Dazzler and others, take a look at this document from Consolidated which maps out the Illinois services and rates.

http://consolidated.com/docs/illinois.pdf

Check out the section starting on page 39, regarding pre-paid calls.  The rates are on page 41.  Regardless of where you are in Illinois, it's $2.50 for the first 15 minutes and $2.50 for each additional 15 minutes, so $5 for a 30 minute phone call.

The doc has no mention of where or why this plan is available, the wording implies that it's customer discretion.  I tried calling Consolidated but kept getting the answering service, we all know that routine !  I could be on the phone for hours.

Does anyone understand why we are not being offered this plan ?

[Dazzler]

I'm not sure you can sign a petition through an email...the petition text would have to be sent in that email...it might be a hassle...but someone could give you permission to sign the online petition for them...that would be okay....or you can transfer signatures from paper petitions to the online petition also. 

[downtownchicago]

I submitted a question to Consolidated Public Services via their online contact page, and I just got a call back !  That was fast !

The representative explained to me that CPS offers several different rate plans, but it's up to IDOC to choose which ones it wants to subscribe to.

I didn't refer to the actual rate plan names with the representative but I can tell by my charges that IDOC uses the Inmate Collect With Controls Rate Plan #1 for Illinois-Illinois calls.  The  representative said that the pre-paid plan available to customers is the same cost.  So apparently the pre-paid plan is not the Prepaid Institutional Calling Services plan referred to in the document, which would be only $5 for a 30 minute call within Illinois.

Consolidated offers 4 rate plans for Illinois-Illinois inmate calls.  IDOC has selected the 2nd most expensive plan.  How do they have the authority to do that ?  And who pockets the extra money ?  Obviously IDOC gets some.  What prevents them from switching to the most expensive plan ? 

[downtownchicago]

You know what we need to do, don't you.  Boycott.

What would happen if we all pledged to not use the phones for an entire 30-, 60-, or 90-day period.

I realize that we will all be greatly inconvenienced if not psychologically traumatized by this.  But we still have mail and visits.

I have to talk to my guy about this but I think he and I would be willing to participate in a boycott.

[WAID]

That is a big chunk of change. Now, I hate when I do this, but I always TRY to look at the big picture.
IDOC's annual budget is aproximately $1.2 Billion dollars
Consolidated commision payment is $13.5 Million
It's a gouge to us yes, if we do stop it & they lose 13.5 million per year, have no doubt somethings gotta give. We all know how fast legislation goes through to reduce sentence guidelines, so before that happens, here's some scenario's to think about. I can't even tell ya how bad medical is right now, if they cut budgets there some will surely lose their lives or suffer a great deal more, cutting of staff would mean 23/7 lockdowns, very limited visiting priveledges, no more state paid recidivism programs, closing of some prisons & overcrowding of others, think tents outside in 100 or 5 below degree temperatures. It will get worse before we tackle the next item on the chopping block that we don't like.

I certainly would like to have more money in my pocket, but not at my incarcerated loves ones expense, nor for the inmates that follow in this wake. I have no doubt our combined voices are a force that will be heard, but are we prepared for the consequences? Dazz, if you say this a bigger than the New York scenario, do you know of any fallout or have data from them changing systems & loss of income for that state's DOC affected it's prisoners?

[Scout]

There was a boycott at some point, I found it when I was researching Consolidated last night...I want to say that somehow the inmates got punished for it, let me see if I can come across that again.

The only problem with that DTC is coordinating it...we're a large group, but small in comparison to the actual number of inmate family members.

[Dazzler]

Well WAID, then maybe the wardens and the staff need to take paycuts....why should inmate families be responsible to balance their stinking budget?  There's money available....plenty of money available in the State budget...don't believe what you read...

When an inmate is incarcerated he becomes property of the State of Illinois and the State cannot expect his family to support his incarceration or be punished because the State can't or doesn't want to fulfill it's responsibility. 

[Mrs.Mitros]

Are you talking about the people that live in the State of Ill or people that lives out of the state?

I live in Alaska. I never had a rate plan for calls .. 

[Dazzler]

I don't know what Downtownchicago is talking about.   There's one rate plan for everyone in Illinois and one rate plan for out-of-staters.  Customers aren't allowed to pick whatever rate plan they want.  I'm sure those are plans that are offered to different Departments of Correction.  There are many County jails in the state also.  In Illinois it's all the same for everyone...you pay what Consolidated bills you....

[Mrs.Mitros]

I don't get a bill from consolidated ...  I never got any rate plans.

[momm316]

I'm not much of a "lawsuit" person, but I bet if many of us ban together,
Consolidate will step up to the plate and  lower their prices.  It may take
something like a statewide telephone ban to accomplish this.  Does anybody
know anybody in management at Consolidated or in purchased services at
IDOC????  I would think if we have a contact there, we could do some
pretty serious negotiations for better prices.  What is the average cost of
a 30 minute phone call for everyone around the state?  Do we all pay the
same price or is it more for some?  What do out-of-state phone calls cost???
Let's make sure we go to whomever we approach with documentation of
the legitimacy of our complaints!!  Each time my son calls and we talk the
full thirty minutes, it coists us around $8.50 (I don't ahve th bill handy at he
moment)    So if my son calls three (sometimes it is more) a week and there
are four weeks in a month, it would cost approximatrely $102.  What does
everybody else pay???? 

Let me know what I can do to help organize this negotiations movement
with Consolidated.

Blessings,
Momm316

[Dazzler]

Momm, most of us instate pay approximately $10 per 30 minute call with all the taxes added on.  Out of staters pay on average $35 per 30 minute call....it's outrageous.

[Lissa]

Since I love to campaign let me know what I can do because these are outrageous costs.

[momm316]

$35 for out of staters...that is horrible.  I can remember back in the day before
unlimited cell phone calls, when I used to make long distance calls, it was usually
cheaper to call out of state than it was in state.  Sounds like Consolidated has a
very lucrative business going for themselves and IDOC at our expense.  Count me
in for some kind of action that will impress on these folks that they can't strong-
arm us just because we and our loved ones are IDOC captives.

Blessings,
Momm316

[walking_stick]

If you want to "email" the petition to all your friends for them to sign it the best way to do that is to email the link to the website asking them to go there and sign it there. thats been best for what i have seen in the past with stuff like that. &*&

[Dazzler]

Good idea w_s..... we need at least a thousand signatures before we approach a legislator...we've got about 800 now....10,000 would be nice but oh well, .

[Schrader42]

Dazz, I have several names that I want to include in the petition but no email address for them as they don't have any.  How can I get those names in?

[Dazzler]

You can add them to the petition with your own email address...however, you have to wait a while inbetween adding several names as the petition software won't allow multiple names to be added at once.

[jlnjy]

I thought of an idea to circulate petitions. For those of you that attend church or an organization, perhaps you could share the printed petition with them.

I thought of mailing the petition to area churches with a postage paid return envelope for signatures. You can purchase a postage paid envelope at the post office for 50cents or just place a 41cents stamp on an envelope you already have. Does anyone else think this is a good idea to try to get more signatures?

Also ...sometimes there are community cable channels that will advertise for free or low cost and/or a soapbox so to speak that someone can get on and speak about this. I understand that this method will only reach those that actually watch it but word of mouth will help travel to others.

JL

[Dazzler]

That's a great idea.  We have a lot of churches in our email contacts and they've been wonderful about helping with our causes.  I think you need to send the text of the petition also so they understand the problem.  Any publicity we can get from any source would be good.  We need the public to understand and support us when the time is right.  Family members have not committed any crime and they are being punished unjustly.

[jlnjy]

Yes, Dazzler .... I will send that the front page so they know what its about along with a letter asking to return in the postage paid envelope. I know its in my contract at my job not to circulate petitions but I can ask when we're off the clock ...I work in a small office but every signature helps.

[momm316]

I thought we signed a petition once before about Consolidated.  Was it
for something different? ....I'm all for a petition, but if we did one, maybe
we should come up with something different????

Momm316

[DELGGIRL]

Does this petition only apply to family and friend only or can inmates sign this petition also?

[Dazzler]

Anyone can sign this petition but the IDOC doesn't allow petitions of any kind to be circulated as far as I know.  If your inmates asks to sign the petition you add his name to the online petition.

[DELGGIRL]

What if an inmate just passed a sheet of paper around and had them put their names and had them sign it would that be okay to send that in? And would it be okay to put the address of where they are incarcerated at or should they put a family members address on that?

[Scout]

I wouldn't recommend this.  An inmate is not to have another inmate's information in their presence, that could result in a ticket and/or seg time, as could circulating a petition.

[Favored23]

DAZ

I HAVE COPIES OF MY CONSOLIDATED PHONE BILLS (LAST 4 MONTH), I KNOW WE WERE GOING TO START A FILE FOR THEM.  WHERE SHOULD I SEND THEM?  DO YOU NEED ME TO HELP KEEP TRACK OF EVERYONES, THEY CAN JUST EMIAL THEM TO ME AND BLACK OUT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THEM?  LET ME KNOW ANYWAY I CAN HELP.

LETS DO THIS THING!

[jiinxxss]

hey all -

I am SO FURIOUS with this telephone crap - I paid an additional $300 for a deposit so that S (name removed by adm) is able to call whenever he wants - and this was done on Thursday as I was leaving Centralia - so that he could call me over the weekend...and today when he called - they wouldn't allow it through - and they are closed until Monday!  This crap is so unbelivable!  We have got to do something about this - already signed the petition - but what exactly is being done to resolve this issue? 

Even when you call - it takes forever to get through to them - and then they say it matters not that your phone bill is paid - they have their limit from the first to the first - argggggggggggggggggggggg I am so ********. (sorry venting here - Dazzler - is anything being done about this?)


jiinxxss
 

[Schrader42]

I wouldn't recommend this.  An inmate is not to have another inmate's information in their presence, that could result in a ticket and/or seg time, as could circulating a petition.

I asked my husband on Valentine's Day the same question about circulating a petition and he too said, it can not only mean seg time but a valid reason for a transfer.  There is a word he used that describes this activity but forgot...it didn't sound nice either.  Take Scout's advice and don't have an inmate start out a petition.

[jiinxxss]

Momm, most of us instate pay approximately $10 per 30 minute call with all the taxes added on.  Out of staters pay on average $35 per 30 minute call....it's outrageous.

As being one of those out of staters - Let me tell you how much this is costing......last months bill for only but 36 minutes = $148!  on top my regular bill!

[Favored23]

As being one of those out of staters - Let me tell you how much this is costing......last months bill for only but 36 minutes = $148!  on top my regular bill!

OW NO, $148.00 FOR ONE CALL................YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!  I DON'T KNOW WERE YOU LIVE, BUT CAN YOU TRY LOOKING INTO VONAGE PHONE SERVICE?  DO THEY HAVE THIS COMPANY OVERTHERE?

[jiinxxss]

No - that was for a total of 3 calls!!  RIDICULOUS!!!  I am looking into this matter from a legal perspective - and any new developments - I'll pass on......



 
Hugs all......misin my man today more than yesterday but less than tomorrow!  He's done his time - 40 years!.....and he needs to begin his life as was meant to be...just let me make im as happy as he makes me!

[Favored23]

  OWWWWWWWWWWW, OKAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS ONE CALL!    

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT! 

[momm316]

Got my bill today....Four 30 minute calls and
one ten minute call .. with tax, $43.41 for
those calls.  When I hear what everybody
else pays, it doesn't sound too bad.

Blessings,
Momm316


 

[maddie]

WE CAN HAVE ACTION ON THE TELEPHONE ISSUE>

PLEASE CALL OR LOG INTO CUB'S SITE.

there is an utility tax on all Consolidated bills. If they collect the tax they are regulated by the Utility Commission. Call them or write and lodge a complaint. CUB's web site is:
http://www.citizensutilityboard.org
Citizens Utility Board
309 West Washington Street, Suite 800,
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 263-4282  Fax (312) 263-4329  (800) 669-5556


Madeleine

Illinois CURE

[ielene]

I thought I would bring this topic back up.
IPT has 3190 members; Dazzler is looking for 1000 signatures on the phone petition. That number should not be so hard to reach.  I have gone out and had this petition signed before and it is not hard. Most everyone wants to sign it as they have had to pay the high cost of these calls in the past or are still paying them now. If we could just get our active members to get one sheet filled out we should hit our goal in no time at all. I have made it my personal goal to get 3 sheets filled. We could even make it a competition as to who gets the most signatures. A competition we all win in the end, it would be great to be able to talk to our loved ones more for the same price. So come on IPT let’s get this going and get the signatures we need. For those of you who do not know the petition can be printed out at
http://www.illinoisprisontalk.com/index.php/topic,10827.0.html

[Scout]

I hadn't checked the online petition in awhile, there are 970 signatures on there.  I agree with you though ielene, with this many members we should be nearing 5000 signatures.

[irish45mj]

Is there something to prevent duplicate signatures?  I think I signed a LONG time ago, but can't remember. 

[codyandbecca]

I did sign the petition but if i can sign it again i will because the calls are outrageously high and anyway to reduce them so we are able to afford to talk to our loved ones more i am all for.

[Amarie]

Just a thought. Maybe this topic should be brought up like once a month. I say this because I was a member a while before I came across the petition. I think more would sign if they were aware of it. Do we send out welcome emails to new members? If so maybe the link for this thread can be added into the welcome email.

[Scout]

There's no way to prevent duplicates.  When I was running the Earned Release petition, I had to go in manually and check them out.

[ielene]

Good idea Amarie, I had done this for awhile and for some reason stopped.  I will write up a new welcome tonight and start doing that again. I already have 4 new signatures and never left my yard. I hit up the dog walkers, and mailman. 

[Scout]

Maybe something can be put into the email confirmation that people receive when they register.  I'm not sure if it's an automated process and can't be changed or what....Mah, Dazz???

[Bobsgirl17]

I just tried to sign the petition again and it wouldn't let me.  It said someone from this e-mail address already signed it.  BUT, I could sign it again by using a different e-mail address and making a slight change to my name.  I used kris instead of kristin. 

[codyandbecca]

Ha ha ha ha that sounds like i awesome idea. I have  6 emails i can sign it from. That will be my project for the night tonight ....

[Bobsgirl17]

I just hope that they don't check and find out that people signed more than once.    Does anyone know if you can sign a petition like that more than once?  It checked by e-mail address not the name being signed. Anyone know?

[ielene]

I don't think we should sign it more than once.

[Bobsgirl17]

That's what I was thinking.  I'm glad you have the same thoughts as I did.  It would be nice though if we could sign it over and over.

[ielene]

I got 2 more signatures today and still haven't left my yard . Got the UPS man and the orkin man. I have already got most everyone I know to sign the petition some time ago so I am going to have to figure out new ways to meet my goal. How is everyone else doing? Anyone have any ideas as to good places to look?

[Amarie]

Ielene,

You are on it!!!! I am going to take your lead when I am sitting out tomorrow watching my son ride his bike.

[ielene]

I am telling you this petition is very easy to get signed, most have experienced the outrages cost at one point or another. Most will talk about the time or times they have had to pay these calls. The petition for earned release was not as easy to get signed but not imposable. I am just going to focus on the phone for now then go after earned release. After the meeting in Springfield I just need to feel that I am doing something instead of just complaining.

[Favored23]

I gave some to my family members this weekend!  Will let you know when I get them back!

[ielene]

 I thought I would bring this topic up again in case any of our new members have not seen and signed the petition.

[Mrs Brown]

whats going on with this? its a old post so im not sure

[chippyn]

So we just need to gather 13 signatures and send it?? To ipt right? Ok, im sure i can gather 13:)

[Lmkarpan]

im new to this whole system and havent received a phone call from my fiance yet but he had previously told me about the amount he had spent when calling his kids and mom from the first time he was in.  now he has to finish his parole inside and i want and need to talk to him as much as possible but this is rediculous.  i cant believe they get away with charging these prices.  shouldnt it be illegal like price gouging?  if there is anything i can do to volunteer or spread the word, just let me know.  this whole justice system makes me so angry

[guero]

Good afternoon
My cousin's in Illinois river and Menard have been pushing the petition around to fellow inmates to pass to family & friends

[Dazzler]

Terrific, the more signatures the better...

[bmonska]

So what's going on with the petition? Is there a certain number of signatures that we should be working toward??

[Lmkarpan]

does anyone know if they offer any kind of unlmited plan?  my DJ said he's heard rumors from other inmates that consolidated offers a monthly unlmited plan

[JDsMom]

There are 2000 signatures there as of today........please go add yours if you have not done so.........

[rubyslippers]

Hi-
I just signed this-I used the link that was way back on pg. 5 so it was an older link--is that right? Also, can you sign friends name's with your own personal email? I read a question on that--someone asked if they check for duplicate names or email addresses?? Thx.

[Dazzler]

No duplicate names but emails are okay.  That's the right petition...

[TimeStandsStill]

does anyone know if they offer any kind of unlmited plan?  my DJ said he's heard rumors from other inmates that consolidated offers a monthly unlmited plan

I've never heard of such a plan but maybe someone else has...  Sounds like just a rumor.  I would imagine if an unlimited plan for collect calls did exist, it would be very pricey.....

[guero]

This morning I got a letter from my cousin Christopher in Illinois River Correctional Center who I recently sent the petition to for fellow inmate's and family members they pulled him out his cell and he was told he is not allowed to get petition

[Forevermah]

This morning I got a letter from my cousin Christopher in Illinois River Correctional Center who I recently sent the petition to for fellow inmate's and family members they pulled him out his cell and he was told he is not allowed to get petition

For anyone else that might try sending any petition to their inmate, they are not allowed to sign any petitions of any kind!  Do not do it!

[Angela]

I signed, but I think I already signed this before     ? Does anyone know if that is possible to do?
Many Thanks

[macdaddie87]

I found out last May or so that Consolidated's contract with IDOC is going to be expiring June or so of 2012 meaning that there could be a possible change of phone services. Chances are though that Consolidated will prolly put in the highest bid for the contract and get it again so that being said we need to get ahold of the person that handles the contracts for IDOC and convince him not to accept a deal with Consolidated anymore.

[Ibi181]

James Chapman is organizing a Vigil (boycott) against consolidated that I believe will work in conjunction with your efforts.  It is called the:

Vigil for True Justice.

This is the Vigil for True Justice List Serve.  The Vigil for True Justice (April 1st – April 31st) is a bi-annual Vigil event spanning across several activist, advocacy groups and organizations to draw peaceful attention to the desires of all parties to have a more effective and efficient justice system.

So Far: 55 –organizations, inmates and voting citizens (and counting)
Have pledged to participate in the Vigil.  We’re already 1/10th there and we just started!

Our goal is 500 pledges by the kick off
*April 1st 2012*

The Vigil is a 30-day observance of peace in which all pledges agree to abstain from:
Consolidated Phone Calls
Vending Machine or Ace Vending Purchases
Western Union / Jpay Money Wires

Pledges have agreed to
Increase letter writing to Inmates
Write peaceful grievances regarding important issues (inmates)

Yes, Visiting is OK!
 
SPREAD THE WORD! / REFER A FRIEND.
We can reach our goal.  If everyone convinced just one-person voting citizen or inmate and so on to participate / pledge, we will will reach BEYOND our goal by April 1st. 


TO ADD A PLEDGE / PARTICIPANT

Send an e-mail subject heading: “PLEDGE” to:  VigilforTrueJustice@gmail.com
Include your name, address and (if applicable) the name and address of the inmate that you frequently contact or visit
Include your phone number and cell phone carrier for quick text updates
We will add that person to our list serve and to our cell phone text tree

SEND IDEAS/ QUESTIONS / COMPLAINTS TO:  VigilforTrueJustice@gmail.com

[Ibi181]

I SIGNED THE PETITION TOO. :)