Tell Attorney General Merrick Garland to direct the Federal Bureau of Prison to abandon its proposed rules that disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities.

Color Of Change and Worth Rises have outlined why the Attorney General should direct the federal Bureau of Prisons to abandon the proposed amendments!

Here is the Petition:

Dear {Attorney General Merrick Garland},

On Jan. 10, 2023, the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) proposed rule changes to its “Inmate Financial Responsibility Program” that would allow prison authorities to increase how much they take out of the wages and deposits incarcerated people receive to pay debts, including a new 75% garnishment on all money deposited in their accounts by loved ones.

This systemwide rule change, inspired by a few wealthy people who do not represent the vast majority of incarcerated people, will disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, exacerbate existing race and class disparities in the federal correctional system, undermine reentry and public safety, and threaten public health.

Further these proposed rules violate President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, which directs federal agencies to evaluate whether their policies produce racially inequitable results and requires agencies to ensure that underserved communities are properly supported.

Please use your authority to direct the BOP to abandon the proposed rule changes to 28 CFR 545 regarding the IFRP, especially the:

1. Termination of the $75 allotted for phone calls, which will cost between $0.06 and $0.14 per minute once the CARES Act expires pandemic relief in May.
2. Replacement of the IFRP minimum quarterly payment of $25 with a minimum payment of 25% of any earned income on those with the lowest paying jobs.
3. Requirement that 75% of deposits from friends or family put into an individual’s account be allotted to IFRP payments.

We demand a halt to further financial exploitation of incarcerated people and their families. 

Sincerely 
[Your Name]