Ever have a loved one locked up? Ever experience the extreme cost of a single phone call to hear their voice. If so, or even if you haven't signing this may help in reducing the cost of these collect calls. Right now, Pacific Bell is charging almost 3 times the amount for a collect call. I, as the recipient have to pay this fee. Just for accepting the call, I am charged a whopping $2.85 and then charged extra for each minute. I checked with Pacific Bell on the rates from a local phone booth (say, in front of a 7-eleven) and the acceptance rate is .95 cents. That is a huge difference. I feel we are being discriminated against just for having a loved one or friend in a facility. There are better ways for the institutions to arrange for inmates to make calls. Issue calling cards for good behavior, have them purchase calling cards just like the ones they sell in the local supermarket and drugstores. Better still, why don't we be fair and reduce the rate for these families. Isn't it hard enough to deal with incarceration and now have to worry about a phone bill that is out of control.