Resource: Walton v. NYSDOCS

Walton v. NYSDOCS was a class action lawsuit brought against the New York State Department of Correctional Services (NYSDOCS). It accused NYSDOCS and the long distance provider MCI of charging exorbitant telephone rates that constituted a financial burden on the families, friends, and attorneys of prisoners. The suit claimed that the phone rates violated plaintiffs’ and class members’ due process and equal protection rights as well as their rights to freedom of speech and association under the New York State Constitution.