[AicapAifap] FAMM

[Alliance of Incarcerated Canadians/Foreigners in American Prisons]

	Dear Aicap, 

	Do our elected leaders care about families or not?  

	I hear lots of politicians say they want to help former prisoners get
back on their feet and lead productive lives. Some even say they
understand how difficult prison is for the family members left behind.


	But then we see announcements like the one made at the Coleman
Federal Prison Complex in Florida. Prisoners there will no longer be
able to order books from publishers or places like Amazon. Instead,
they'll have to go through the prison to order the book — and then
pay a 30 percent surcharge on top of the retail price. Children also
will no longer be able to send birthday and holiday cards to their
parents in prison. 

	Not to be outdone, the Florida State Department of Corrections
announced plans to cut visiting time in half for families. Instead of
being able to see their loved ones every weekend, family members will
only be allowed to go every other weekend — and for a limited amount
of time.  

	One FAMM member in Florida told us she goes to see her incarcerated
son every weekend because he is all she has left. Do our leaders care
about families or not? Do they even believe in rehabilitation at all? 

	I know prison administrators will say these new rules are needed to
keep contraband, such as drugs, out of the prisons. But most prison
officials admit that guards are more likely to smuggle in contraband
than family members and friends. Also, even if the problem exists, is
cutting off family contact and efforts to read and learn the only way
to address this problem? Of course not. 

	If our leaders care about prisoners and their families, they will
stop proposing and passing these petty and cruel rules. But we can't
sit around and hope they see the light. We need to make them feel the
heat. You can help right now by doing two simple things: 

	1. Tell your friends and families to join FAMM. There is no
membership fee, no cost to get our emails and updates. 

	2. If you or someone you know has been in prison or is in prison
today, please join our Facebook  "FAMMilies in Action" page. There,
affected families give and receive support to one another and learn of
opportunities to support reform.   

	Thanks for your support.                                   

	Best, 
 Kevin Ring
 President, FAMM   

	 Tell Your Friends: Join FAMM 

 Join "FAMMilies in Action" on Facebook 
	FAMM is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization fighting for smart
sentencing laws that protect public safety.
 1100 H Street NW | Suite 1000 | Washington, D.C. 20005  | (202)
822-6700
 FAMM © 2018 All rights reserved. 
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