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 A recent surge in cell phone control by state prisons is on the agenda for Texas officials, who urged Congress to allow states to electronically jam cell phone calls made by prisoners. While 28 states want the ability to jam cell phone signals, representatives of the communications industry testified that jamming would not be the best solution to prevent cell phone use by criminals.
State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Inspector General John Moriarty of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, told lawmakers about a death row inmate who used a cell phone he bought for $2,100 from a prison guard to make threats against Whitmire last October.
Whitmire said electronic jamming was one of the most valuable tools in preventing cell phone attacks by inmates.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas, is sponsoring legislation to allow correctional facilities to individually petition the Federal Communications Commission for permission to use wireless jamming devices.
Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association, said jamming is not as effective as other methods in preventing inmate cell phone use. He said other solutions to the problem included cell detection to monitor and track cell phones in facilities, as well as “managed access,” a way to restrict wireless communication to only certain cell users.
Many officials are expressing concern that jamming could block phone service to public safety officers, like those making 911 calls at or near a prison using jamming.
TheSafe Prisons Communications Act is being given serious inspection.
Submitted By: Rick Bartlett, Senior Editor |
