United Church of Christ Slams FCC’s Illegal Delay of Communication Rates for Incarcerated People

Not only did Congress unanimously pass the Martha Wright Reed Act, but the Federal Communications Commission unanimously adopted the decision. And the Federal Communications Commission’s newly appointed General Counsel vigorously and persuasively defended the decision in April 2025. The decision to delay these rules is factually and legally wrong. No legal request for this decision was made, no public comment was sought. The decision points to claims of strain in the industry, when many prisons and jails have been complying since the rules became effective in January. The FCC points to filings from Securus, which is currently the beneficiary of a waiver of the rules it requested and received in December 2024. Incarcerated people deserve the protections adopted by the FCC as directed by Congress. This decision is another lawless decision by the Trump Administration and this Federal Communications Commission.