PHILADELPHIA, PA — The #EndTheException coalition today announced it will launch its new #ExceptForMe activation series on Labor Day to spotlight the destructive, real-life impact of prison slavery. Through captivating original video stories, wild postings, art installations, film screenings, petition deliveries, and undisclosed direct actions, the initiative will showcase the narratives of currently and formerly incarcerated people who have been forced to labor under the exception in the 13th Amendment. #ExceptForMe is part of the coalition’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the exception in the 13th Amendment that still allows slavery to be used as punishment for a crime and rally support for the Abolition Amendment (SJR 21 and HJR 53), which would end the exception and abolish slavery for all.

NATIONWIDE — Today, Worth Rises released a national PSA, featuring NBA coach and former player Caron Butler, calling on cities and states across the nation to make prison and jail communication free alongside a game-changing tool that centralizes real-time rate data for the first time. The new data reveals that the prison phone justice movement has forced a 36% decrease in prison call rates since just 2018, when advocates passed the first bill to make calls out of a prison or jail free in New York City.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, leaders of the #EndTheException campaign gathered alongside U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-5) on the steps of the United States Capitol as they continue to urge members of Congress to support H.J.R. 53 and S.J.R. 21, which collectively make up the Abolition Amendment. The federal legislation would end the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that allows slavery and involuntary servitude to be used as punishment for crime. The event was part of the ongoing #EndTheException campaign, endorsed by over 80 advocacy organizations and state allies including Worth Rises, Vera Institute of Justice, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Anti-Recidivism Coalition, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Civil Rights Corps, and the Abolish Slavery National Network.

MIAMI, FL — Today, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance introduced by Commissioner Kionne McGhee to make jail communication free in a 9-2 vote, after a unanimous vote by the Commission’s Community Safety and Security Committee on March 10, 2022. The vote comes after over a year of organizing, advocacy, and negotiations to eliminate communication costs to families, which already led Mayor Daniella Cava to forgo the 67 percent kickback the County had been receiving from its jail telecom provider for years. The ordinance reinforces the Mayor’s intent to release a Request For Proposal that requires the provision of free jail communication services in the immediate future.

ALBANY, NY — Today, advocates from the New York Connecting Families coalition delivered 14,590 signed petitions to Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to allocate $21.6 million in the state’s budget to make prison and jail communication free across New York. Today’s action comes in the midst of budget discussions. The Assembly’s proposed state budget released March 14th includes $9.9 million to make communication free in New York’s state prisons. The most recent budget proposals from the Governor and Senate are silent on the issue.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee moved the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2021 (S. 1541) out of committee after a markup. Introduced last year by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D–Illinois), the bill advanced with an amendment agreed to by prison phone justice advocates and the National Sheriffs’ Association. The bill would restore the FCC’s authority to regulate all prison and jail calls and stop prison telecom corporations from charging incarcerated people and their loved ones predatory rates.

FRANKLIN, TN — Today, hours after faith leaders delivered an open letter and over 3,000 petitions from the public to Tennessee-based FDR Safety calling on the corporation to stop its involvement in the development of a new nitrogen hypoxia execution protocol for Alabama, FDR Safety has announced that it is withdrawing from its contract with the state. Signatories of the open letter include pastors from churches in Franklin, Nashville, and Memphis and other cities throughout the Tennessee. Working with Worth Rises, Pastor Kevin Riggs led the delivery, which comes on the heels of his op-ed in the Tennessean last week. This action was part of a campaign launched by Worth Rises in July 2021, when more than 70 organizations, investors, and business associations sent a joint letter to FDR Safety demanding their withdrawal from the Alabama contract.

MILWAUKEE, WI — Today, the Milwaukee Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution, as amended, to provide “free or ultra low cost” voice and video calls in the county’s jail and house of correction. The original resolution would have made voice and video calls free this year. The amendment, which passed 12-5, requires county administrators to report back to the Board by July 2022 with a plan to RFI and subsequently RFP jail telecom services with the intention of making voice and video calls “free or ultra low cost.” Advocates are disappointed that the Board punted the urgent need for free jail communication, but resolve to continue putting pressure on the Board to get to fully free voice and video calls in the near-term.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, Worth Rises Executive Director Bianca Tylek offered testimony at New York Inspector General Lang’s press conference, where the Office revealed findings from its comprehensive investigation into DOCCS’ Incarcerated Individual Drug Testing Program. The investigation reveals a partnership between DOCCS and Microgenics that led to horrific consequences for incarcerated people & their families. This comes after years of activism and research by Worth Rises exposing DOCCS' blatant disregard for incarcerated people’s basic constitutional rights. See below for full press release.

NATIONWIDE — Against the urging of people directly impacted by incarceration and criminal justice advocates to break ties with prison telecom giant Aventiv Technologies — parent of Securus Technologies and JPay — Grammy Award-winning Christian rapper Lecrae has decided to continue partnering with the predatory corporation for a hip hop contest. His team has confirmed Lecrae is being paid by Aventiv.