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Worth Rises

Worth Rises is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on ending the exploitation of incarcerated people and their families by the prison industry. Worth Rises produces research and policy advocacy on prison phone rates, commissary pricing, and other issues that affect families. Their annual reports track which states offer free calls and document the financial burden of prison communication on families.

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What Is Worth Rises?

Worth Rises was founded to advocate for the abolition of for-profit prison services that burden incarcerated people and their families. The organization produces widely cited research on prison phone call costs, including estimates that free call programs save Massachusetts families an average of $1,801 per year.

Worth Rises maintains the Free Calls Coalition, tracks legislation related to prison communication costs, and provides advocacy tools for families and organizations working on these issues. Their website at worthrises.org provides current information on which states have free call programs.

People Also Ask

Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.

What is FCC Rate Cap?

FCC rate caps are federal limits set by the Federal Communications Commission on how much correctional facilities and their contracted phone providers can charge per minute for inmate phone calls. Under rules effective April 6, 2026, the cap is $0.11 per minute for large prisons and jails, up to $0.18 per minute for the smallest facilities. Video call caps are $0.23 per minute at large facilities.

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What is Recidivism?

Recidivism refers to the tendency of a formerly incarcerated person to reoffend and return to prison. Research consistently shows that maintaining family contact during incarceration significantly reduces recidivism rates. This is a key argument used by advocates for free prison phone calls and improved communication access. Studies show that incarcerated people who maintain strong family bonds are less likely to return to prison after release.

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What is Reentry?

Reentry refers to the process of transitioning from incarceration back into the community, including finding housing, employment, and support services.

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