Your Story Matters Here.
We want to hear from anyone who has been through the Kalamazoo County Jail, who has had a loved one there, who has ever used a jail or prison phone system to stay in contact with someone, or who simply has something to say about how this works. Whatever your experience is, it belongs in this conversation. Your story can be shared publicly with your name, published anonymously, or kept entirely private and used only to inform the campaign. You are in complete control of how it is used.
Email Us Your Story → ↓ Scroll down to read stories from community membersDominic "Kobeany" Deere // Kalamazoo
Dominic Deere spent nine months at the Kalamazoo County Jail in 2023 and 2024. Raised in Kalamazoo, he is a father and a father figure to nieces and nephews in his family. During those nine months, his family estimates they spent roughly $7,700 to maintain contact with him, about $3,100 on phone calls and $4,600 on video calls.
"You're spending a lot of money in the day trying to keep in contact with your family, especially if they're used to you being at home. It is hard. It's hard on everybody that's connected to you when you're in a situation like that."
Dominic "Kobeany" Deere, NowKalamazoo, September 2025Dominic's story became the foundation of the NowKalamazoo investigation that brought the full terms of the county's telecom contract to public attention for the first time. The numbers in this campaign are not theoretical. They came from a Kalamazoo family who kept their receipts and were willing to share them so others would understand what families here are dealing with.
More Stories Coming
As people in the community share their experiences with us, we will add them here with permission. If you have a story to share, we would be glad to hear it. There is no pressure and no obligation, and you can remain completely anonymous if that is what feels right for you.