Let Families Reconnect: End the Mandatory 30-Minute Prison Phone Wait Between Calls
The Issue
I am raising four children while my partner is incarcerated, and I have experienced firsthand how challenging it is to make the most of a mere 15-minute phone call. Each of our children has unique needs: some seek comfort and security, others eagerly want to share their achievements, and some simply wish to say goodnight to their loved one. When the call abruptly ends, so does that vital emotional connection. Even an immediate callback shifts the dynamic, and a mandated 30-minute wait makes it nearly impossible to maintain that bond.
Although this policy change does not effect my family personally. Thousands of children will feel the impact that the Federal Bureau of Prisons' new policy (Statement 5264.09) enforcing a 30-minute wait between calls, creating a barrier to these already limited, precious moments. We urge the Bureau to amend this policy by removing the mandatory waiting period, allowing families to reconnect seamlessly while keeping the 15-minute call limit intact. We are responsible for making sure there are measures to ensure child-sensitive family communication, ensuring that children can enjoy meaningful interactions with their parent without undue stress or time constraints.
A study by the National Institute of Justice found that maintaining strong familial ties significantly reduces recidivism rates and aids in the successful reintegration of inmates into society. By facilitating smoother, more flexible communication, we can support emotional stability in children and positively impact the rehabilitation process for inmates by maintaining these crucial personal relationships.
It's time for us to recognize the importance of a parent's voice in a child's life. The simple act of speaking with their parent can furnish children with the emotional support they need to thrive, providing them with reassurance, joy, and a sense of normalcy amidst challenging circumstances. It is not only a compassionate change but a practical one, safeguarding the mental and emotional well-being of both children and their incarcerated relatives.
Join me in calling on the Federal Bureau of Prisons to revise this policy. Support families and ensure that children can maintain strong and consistent contact with their incarcerated parent. Sign this petition to make a meaningful change in many lives, today.
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The Issue
I am raising four children while my partner is incarcerated, and I have experienced firsthand how challenging it is to make the most of a mere 15-minute phone call. Each of our children has unique needs: some seek comfort and security, others eagerly want to share their achievements, and some simply wish to say goodnight to their loved one. When the call abruptly ends, so does that vital emotional connection. Even an immediate callback shifts the dynamic, and a mandated 30-minute wait makes it nearly impossible to maintain that bond.
Although this policy change does not effect my family personally. Thousands of children will feel the impact that the Federal Bureau of Prisons' new policy (Statement 5264.09) enforcing a 30-minute wait between calls, creating a barrier to these already limited, precious moments. We urge the Bureau to amend this policy by removing the mandatory waiting period, allowing families to reconnect seamlessly while keeping the 15-minute call limit intact. We are responsible for making sure there are measures to ensure child-sensitive family communication, ensuring that children can enjoy meaningful interactions with their parent without undue stress or time constraints.
A study by the National Institute of Justice found that maintaining strong familial ties significantly reduces recidivism rates and aids in the successful reintegration of inmates into society. By facilitating smoother, more flexible communication, we can support emotional stability in children and positively impact the rehabilitation process for inmates by maintaining these crucial personal relationships.
It's time for us to recognize the importance of a parent's voice in a child's life. The simple act of speaking with their parent can furnish children with the emotional support they need to thrive, providing them with reassurance, joy, and a sense of normalcy amidst challenging circumstances. It is not only a compassionate change but a practical one, safeguarding the mental and emotional well-being of both children and their incarcerated relatives.
Join me in calling on the Federal Bureau of Prisons to revise this policy. Support families and ensure that children can maintain strong and consistent contact with their incarcerated parent. Sign this petition to make a meaningful change in many lives, today.
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Petition created on November 13, 2026