Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) have introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, a bill aimed at addressing the issue of contraband cellphone use in federal and state prison facilities. The purpose of this legislation is to allow prisons to utilize cellphone jamming systems in order to protect inmates, guards, and the wider public from potential harm.

According to Congressman Kustoff, putting an end to the illicit use of contraband cellphones within correctional facilities will have an immediate impact on reducing crime rates, enhancing public safety, and relieving the burden on our overwhelmed correctional systems. He stresses that this act represents a crucial initial step towards tackling the current crime crisis faced by America. Congressman Kustoff expresses his pride in collaborating with Senator Cotton to introduce such pivotal legislation and urges fellow members of Congress to offer their support.

Senator Cotton highlights how prisoners have been exploiting contraband cellphones for engaging in illegal activities outside prison walls, including orchestrating attacks on rivals, promoting sex trafficking operations, facilitating drug trade, and conducting business transactions. The use of cellphone gps jamming devices can effectively halt these criminal endeavors; however, current regulations under the Federal Communications Act prevent correctional facilities from employing this technology. This bill seeks to rectify this issue so that criminals serve their sentences without posing any risk whatsoever to society at large.

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act has received endorsements from multiple state attorneys general, including Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. The Act is also supported by the Major County Sheriffs of America, National Sheriffs' Association and the Council of Prison Locals.

According to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti

"The only way to stop the illegal use of cell phones in prisons is through jamming signal. When individuals are incarcerated, they should not be allowed to maintain contact with criminal organizations on the outside. I commend Congressman Kustoff for his unwavering commitment to protecting our nation from organized crime."

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin stated

"Congress needs to pass the Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act without delay. Prisoners are using contraband phones to carry out criminal activities from behind bars. We have the technology to enhance security and put an end to this illicit behavior; it's time we utilize it. I haven't heard any valid reasons why we should facilitate criminals and enable convicted felons to continue their criminal enterprises while in custody."

Background:

• The use of contraband cellphones is a pervasive issue within both federal and state prison facilities. Inmates exploit these devices to engage in a wide range of illicit activities, such as orchestrating hits on individuals outside the confines of the prison walls, operating illegal drug enterprises, facilitating unlawful business transactions, promoting sex trafficking, and coordinating escape attempts that put correctional staff, fellow inmates, and the public at risk. Incidents involving contraband cellphones have been reported nationwide.


• Over the past five years in South Carolina alone, there have been four significant cases of drug trafficking where operations were conducted clandestinely within prison walls using contraband cellphones. Notably, the most recent operation was directly linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Furthermore, in 2018, inmates affiliated with gangs orchestrated a merciless assault resulting in the deaths of seven inmates and numerous injuries through their unauthorized use of cellphones in a maximum-security facility.


• In Oklahoma, 69 defendants were found guilty of participating in a "drug trafficking operation that was primarily directed and controlled by incarcerated gang members using unauthorized cellphones from their state prison cells."


• In Tennessee, an inmate utilized an illegal cellphone to orchestrate drug conspiracy deals by sending a package filled with methamphetamine to his significant other.


• In Georgia, prisoners employed illicit cellphones to carry out fraudulent calls, demanding payment and even sending photos of injured inmates to their relatives while requesting money.


• As indicated by the Indiana Department of Corrections, during the previous year (2022), a gang enforcer incarcerated within Indiana Department of Corrections ordered a double homicide through the use of an unauthorized cellphone within prison walls.


• According to The Wall Street Journal's report, Martin Shkreli, the disgraced pharmaceutical executive who was sentenced to seven years for securities fraud, continued making decisions at Phoenixus AG with the assistance of an illegal cellphone.

Top prosecutors across the country are again calling on Congress to pass legislation that would allow state prisons to interfere with cellphone signals smuggled to inmates. According to lawyers, the devices allow people to plan

violence and commit crimes.

"We simply need Congress to pass legislation giving states the authority to implement cell phone jamming systems to protect prisoners,

guards and the public at large," 22 prosecutors wrote in a statement. Wednesday's letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Wilson's office said it plans to contact Democratic prosecutors and does not believe the matter is partisan.

The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, cites several crimes that lawyers say were orchestrated by inmates using contraband cellphones, including a drug conspiracy in Tennessee and a double murder ordered by an inmate in

Indiana.

They also led a gang siege at a South Carolina prison in 2018 that lasted more than seven hours and left seven inmates dead. One prisoner described the bodies as "literally stacked on top of each other, like a horrible pile of wood."

Corrections officials blamed illegal cellphones for the unfolding violence, the worst prison riot in the United States in 25 years.

"By preventing prisoners from using prohibited cell phones, we can prevent serious drug trafficking, deadly riots and other crimes," prosecutors wrote.

To render the phones - which are smuggled into hollow footballs, implanted by corrupt employees and sometimes dropped by drones - worthless, prosecutors are asking for changes to a nearly century-old law A historic federal

communications law that currently prohibits state prisons from using signal jamming technology to suppress illegal cellphone signals.

Efforts to crack down on illicit cellphones in state prisons have been going on for years, and South Carolina Corrections Director Bryan Stirling is leading an effort by correctional directors across the country to demand more

technology to combat their use of smuggled phones. the behavior of.

In a progressive victory in 2021, the FCC passed a decision allowing state prison systems to work with cellphone providers to sequentially apply for permission to identify and shut down illegal cellphone signals. South Carolina

was the first state to request use of the technology, but Sterling told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the state has not yet taken any action on the request.

Sterling said federal prisons can jam cellphone signals behind bars, but that is not currently the case.

CTIA, the wireless industry trade association, opposes interference, saying it could impede legitimate calls. However, CTIA told the commission that it has "successfully worked with its member companies" to "cease service for

prohibited devices pursuant to court orders received," according to a 2020 FCC filing.

CTIA and FCC officials did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment on the new wave of subversion.

Congress has previously considered blocking the legislation, but has yet to sign any bill or even hold hearings. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., reintroduced the measure in the last Congress in August.

"We're not going to stop advocating for this," Wilson told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "I can only hope that at some point Congress will take notice."

Mobile phone signal jammers are used in many places, but they cannot be used immediately after installation. We still need to go through certain testing and acceptance to determine its effectiveness and ensure its effectiveness.

It is very important to ensure whether the mobile phone signal jammers can truly effectively block mobile phone signals. When purchasing a mobile phone signal jammer, testing is a very important step.

1. Test the blocking distance of the mobile phone signal jammer. Don't just try it with one or two network mobile phones. The mobile phone networks used are different, especially the 4G mobile phone network. The 4G network uses a broadband high-speed transmission method. If the mobile phone If the signal cellphone jammer is not powerful enough, it may not be able to block 4G;


2. It is necessary to find all the mobile phones in the current network of mobile communication providers before testing. Make sure that each mobile phone network can meet the needs of at least one classroom to be considered successful. After turning on the phone to test the shielding effect, be sure to ensure that there is no signal on the mobile phone within half an hour and no time appears. sometimes not;


3. Another important point is that if it is a mobile phone wireless signal jammer with a metal shell, touch the front and rear sides of the fuselage with your hands after 1 hour after turning it on. If the temperature is moderate and not hot, there will be no problem. If it is very hot, it will not pass, because the machine continues to heat up. It will cause the power of the mask to attenuate, make it unable to work stably, and easily cause burns.

The main functions of the four major signal frequency bands used by drones

• 1. 2.4GHz frequency band


• The 2.4GHz frequency band is one of the more common frequency bands used in drones. It is a type of radio frequency band used by drones and is mainly used for WiFi and Bluetooth communications. This frequency band has a wider coverage and a faster transmission rate, so it is widely used in remote control and image transmission of drones.


• 2. 5.8GHz frequency band


• The 5.8GHz frequency band is one of the most common frequency bands in drones. It is also used in WiFi and Bluetooth communications, and is also widely used in drone image transmission systems. Compared with the 2.4GHz band, the transmission rate of 5.8GHz is faster, but the coverage range is relatively small.


• 3. GPS satellite signal frequency band-1.5G frequency band


• The GPS satellite signal frequency band is a type of frequency band used for drone positioning. It can accurately locate the position of the drone, thereby enabling flight path planning and tracking. GPS satellite signals are also one of the keys for UAVs to achieve autonomous flight and formation control.


• 4. Remote control signal frequency band-900 frequency band


• The remote control signal frequency band is a type of radio frequency band used for remote control of drones. It connects the drone flight controller to the remote controller to achieve remote control of the drone within a certain range. This frequency band has a smaller application range, but it plays an important role in remote control of drones.

Nowadays, almost every examination room will install an examination room signal jammer. However, this machine will become hot after being used for a period of time. The heat may affect the normal use of the machine. However, this is not certain. It's just that the heat dissipation capabilities vary depending on the brand. So, how does the signal jammer in the examination room dissipate heat? The old-fashioned signal jammer in the examination room could only rely on natural temperature to slowly cool down. But now, most examination room signal jammers are equipped with fans. Not only are these fans silent, but they also dissipate heat very well. It can help the instrument lower the temperature in time.

In addition, now schools are generally equipped with air conditioners. When the weather is too hot, the school will turn on the air conditioner or fan to ensure the safety of candidates. At this time, the temperature of the gsm signal jammer in the examination room will also drop. In fact, this thing is just like a mobile phone. In the summer, it will get hot as long as it is turned on. But it won't damage the machine. Especially for machines with better quality, you don't have to worry.

In real life, mobile phones have become an indispensable device in people's lives. However, using mobile phones in conference rooms often leads to serious problems, such as interfering with the progress of the meeting and affecting the attention of others. Therefore, using a mobile phone signal jammer is an effective solution to ensure that the meeting goes smoothly.

What should you pay attention to when using mobile phone signal jammer in a conference room?

Cell phone signal jammers can effectively block cell phone signals in the conference room to prevent cell phones from interfering with meetings. During the meeting, participants will not be able to use their mobile phones so that they can fully focus on the meeting. At the same time, this also helps protect the personal privacy of participants and prevent others from improperly obtaining meeting information.

Although the mobile phone signal jammer is called a jammer, it does not actually block the signal. Instead, it acts like a signal cellphone jammer.

Generally speaking, the connection between mobile phones will go through the signal tower, that is, the path of mobile phone-signal tower-mobile phone. The signal jammer will interfere with the connection path between the mobile phone and the signal tower, resulting in normal transmission. However, The signal tower is used by mobile phones within a certain range, so there are often situations where the mobile phone signal cannot be used normally even if you are not in the conference room.

Conference room cell phone signal jammers are not a panacea

Mobile phone signal jammers currently on the market can limit mobile phone signals that are 500M meters away from the transmitting station and have a radius of >20 meters. The shielding radius is adjustable. It only blocks mobile phone signals and does not affect other electronic devices. So if your mobile phone signal is not good recently when you are not near the examination room, don't blame the signal jammers. It may also be a problem with your own mobile phone.

In general, the use of signal jammers in schools is illegal. Additionally, it raises concerns about how the school was able to procure them in the first place. Unless the school is situated within a correctional facility, the purchase of signal jammers should not have been permitted. It is important to understand that signal cellphone jammer are subject to rigorous regulations, and the penalties for their usage are significant if one is apprehended.

It is probable that your school has imposed limitations on the wifi network, making it inaccessible for non-school devices. In our district, we have established multiple wifi networks. The Mobile Data Network is specifically designated for chromebooks used on campus, while the Staff Network is exclusively reserved for staff members. Furthermore, we have the BYOD network for guests, which can be deactivated by the school administration whenever necessary. Notably, network usage experiences a substantial increase during lunch breaks and passing periods.

It is generally illegal in most states to operate a radio transmitter without a license, unless it falls under the category of low-power type-approved devices within specific frequency bands. Examples of such devices include garage door openers, baby monitors, CB radios in certain countries, and WiFi. Cellular radio bills typically include an annual license fee, which must be paid. Obtaining approval to operate a device designed to cause interference is highly unlikely, as licenses for other devices often contain a clause stating that interference must not be caused. Therefore, if you choose to use a GPS jammers, you would likely be found guilty of operating an unapproved transmitter without a license, and potentially other offenses as well.

It is highly likely that operating a transmitter will result in your location being discovered by someone using a receiver, unless you have a low-power device in close proximity to a GPS receiver that cannot be detected from a distance greater than a few meters.

Some time ago, a Special Forces soldier faced accusations of unlawfully causing the death of an Afghan civilian. The soldier in question had observed the civilian carrying a cell phone and, considering the specific circumstances and environment, as well as other indicators that only experienced soldiers and law enforcement officers can recognize, concluded that the civilian was likely utilizing the cell phone to activate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). This method of detonating IEDs is commonly employed. Despite the soldier's eventual acquittal during the formal hearings and trials, the unit could have avoided a great deal of time and trouble if they had employed a jammer.

Jammers are available in diverse styles and strengths, yet they share a common crucial feature. Their purpose is to disrupt a specific radio frequency. In essence, an effective jammer can block electronic communications from one or multiple sources, resulting in the prevention of cell phone usage, drone operations, and a wide array of other radio frequency devices.

When it comes to overseas, military, and contracting activities, the use of jammers is far less restrictive and stands as the most optimal means of preventing IED attacks that are triggered using radio frequency. A reliable jammer will successfully impede remote IED detonation, thereby depriving enemies of the anonymity they heavily rely on for their protection. Additionally, jammers will equally prove highly effective in preventing drone attacks or impeding the collection of visual and intelligence information.

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2022, reintroduced by Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), aims to address the issue of contraband cell phone use in federal and state prison facilities. This legislation would grant state and federal prisons the authority to implement cell phone jamming systems for the safety of inmates, guards, and the community.

Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) presented the companion bill in the U.S. Senate. Additionally, Representatives William Timmons (SC-04), Tom Rice (SC-07), Ralph Norman (SC-05), and Jeff Duncan (SC-03) have joined as co-sponsors of this legislation.

It was mentioned by Congressman Kustoff that in correctional facilities all over the United States, prisoners are using contraband cell phones for illegal purposes, such as managing drug operations, aiding in sex trafficking, and organizing escape attempts.The prevalence of contraband cell phones necessitates immediate action from Congress to prevent dangerous criminals from carrying out illegal activities while in custody, thus safeguarding the public.I am thrilled to work alongside Senators Cotton and Graham in reintroducing this important bill that will contribute to the safety of our communities in West Tennessee and the United States.

Prisoners have used contraband cell phones to direct unlawful activities outside prison walls, which involve orchestrating hits on rivals, engaging in sex trafficking, managing drug operations, and conducting business transactions.The Federal Communications Act currently prohibits facilities from using cellphone signal jamming devices to prevent this, despite their effectiveness. My proposed bill aims to address this issue, ensuring that criminals can serve their time without endangering the public.

This legislation is championed by the Correctional Leaders Association, the Council of Prison Locals, the American Correctional Association, the National Sheriff's Association, and the Major County Sheriffs of America.

The use of contraband cell phones is rampant within both federal and state prison facilities. Inmates have utilized these unauthorized devices to carry out illegal activities, including ordering hits on individuals outside the prison walls, running illegal drug operations, conducting illicit business deals, facilitating sex trafficking, and organizing escapes that endanger correctional employees, fellow inmates, and the general public.

The South Carolina Prison Incident was sparked by the combination of cell phones and contraband. A violent gang fight, centered around territorial disputes, erupted within the confines of the Lee Correctional Institution near Bishopville, South Carolina. The utilization of cell phones to facilitate the illegal exchange of contraband played a significant role in escalating the conflict. Sadly, this altercation led to the loss of seven inmates' lives and caused injuries to 20 others.

The murder of Lt. Osvaldo Albarati in 2013 was a result of his intervention in an unlawful contraband cell phone operation. The inmate behind the killing used a contraband cell phone to communicate with the hired assailant, leading to the fatal outcome, as indicated in the official records.

According to a 2018 report, an inmate at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey coordinated a murder and assault using a smuggled phone while incarcerated. Another prisoner at the same facility was alleged to have possessed and distributed child pornography through a contraband phone. Furthermore, six other inmates admitted their guilt in separate incidents.

The impact of contraband cell phones extends beyond aiding violent criminals in their nefarious pursuits. According to The Wall Street Journal, Martin Shkreli, the disgraced pharmaceutical executive who was sentenced to seven years for securities fraud, continued to exert influence over decision-making processes at Phoenixus AG through the use of an illicit cell phone.

Cell phone jammers are devices designed to block the reception or transmission of cell phone signals by producing interference within the frequency ranges used by cell phones. This interference causes a lack of signal or a notable reduction in signal strength. While cell phone jammers can be employed in various settings, they are predominantly utilized in locations where quietness is essential.

Techopedia offers insights into cell phone jammers.

A cell phone jammer is composed of:

• Antenna


• Voltage-controlled oscillator


• Tuning circuit


• Noise generator


• Power supply


• RF amplification

The activation of a cell phone jammer results in the absence of network signal on most cell phones, while deactivating the jammer restores their connectivity. Cell phones employ specific frequencies for transmitting and receiving information. By blocking one or both of these frequencies, cell phone jammers indirectly impede communication on both ends, effectively preventing any form of interaction.The operation of cell phone jammers is based on the same principles as those of jammers employed to hinder radio communication. These devices disrupt either the frequencies from the cell phone to the base station or from the base station to the cell phone.

Law enforcement agencies and the military make use of cell phone jammers to restrict and disrupt communication in various situations. Certain organizations employ these jammers to safeguard against corporate espionage by blocking communication within sensitive areas. Moreover, some individuals opt for portable cell phone jammers to prevent others from using their phones in immediate vicinity.

With the exception of military and law enforcement applications, the use of cell phone jammers is illegal in many countries, including the United States. The United States has enacted some of the most stringent laws globally, prohibiting the sale and purchase of cell phone jammers and imposing strict regulations on their usage. However, in countries like Mexico, the use of cell phone jammers is permitted in certain public areas such as hospitals. It is crucial to recognize that laws governing the use of cell phone jammers differ from country to country.

There are three key reasons why cell phone jammers are considered illegal

The use of cell phone jammers can hinder your ability, as well as that of others, to contact 911 and other emergency services. Additionally, they present serious risks to public safety communications and disrupt regular forms of communication.

The following article delves into the mechanics of signal jammers, the legal implications of using them in the United States, protocols to follow in case of interference with authorized communication, and the services offered by Cellbusters for inquiries related to cell phone jammers.

Actions to Consider When Authorized Communication is Being Jammed

Have you considered the possibility of a signal jammer causing the interference? There are several factors, including signal jammers, that can result in unreliable network connections:

1. faulty equipment


2. physical obstructions that block the signal


3. lawful devices that are operating on the same frequencies

It is recommended to troubleshoot equipment and connectivity problems based on the manufacturer and service provider recommendations before lodging an interference complaint via the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. Along with reviewing the owner's manual and seeking assistance from the company's technical support, utilizing online resources to search for your device/model and the specific issue may aid in identifying or excluding potential causes.

All cellphone jammers have been discreetly eliminated from prisons by Corrections.

The technology implemented in 2008-09 to deter inmates from using smuggled mobile phones has incurred expenses exceeding $17 million.

However, the utilization of jammers ceased in June due to their interference with newly implemented safety systems for prison guards.

Upon unveiling this initiative, Corrections Minister Phil Goff emphasized that the implementation of cellphone blocking in New Zealand prisons marks a significant advancement in preventing inmates from engaging in further criminal activities during their incarceration.

The Official Information Act was used to acquire recent information regarding the quantity of cellphones confiscated from the 18 prisons managed by Corrections in the last three years.

The Corrections staff discovered 626 cellphones and over 750 cellphone-related items, including batteries, chargers, SIM cards, and more, between January 2020 and November of the current year.

The removal of the cellphone jammer in June was the reason why inmates were found smuggling cellphones, according to Neil Beales, the Corrections chief custodial officer.

He stated that the jammers were discovered to disrupt recently implemented safety systems, including alarms designed for the safety of corrections officers.

Progress in mobile technology has led to jammers becoming more and more outdated.

According to Beales, the mentioned tool was just one among several others employed to prevent the use of cellphones in prisons. He further stated that there are still several more effective tools in use.

Cellsense devices are equipped with advanced technology to identify various metals commonly found in cellphones. Additionally, these devices possess screening and x-ray capabilities, along with the ability to detect metals using specially trained dogs.

Beale mentioned that certain individuals incarcerated resort to extreme and intricate measures to smuggle contraband into prisons, and we are consistently striving to outsmart the latest tactics employed for smuggling contraband into our correctional facilities.

Corrections has been exploring new and emerging technology to enhance existing systems, according to the statement. They have begun implementing full body imaging technology at various locations to identify hidden contraband on or inside individuals.

In 2018, the Corrections department acknowledged that cellphone jamming technology had caused a communication blackout near Rimutaka Prison, resulting in the inability to track residents of a child sex offender unit located outside the prison walls.

Inmates may utilize cellphones to exert influence on individuals beyond the prison walls, as well as to organize illicit activities such as drug transactions. Recently, nine prison employees at Rimutaka were suspended in May for suspected misconduct, which involved the smuggling of cellphones into the facility.

It comes as no surprise that Corrections has decided to abandon the use of signal blockers, as stated by Roger Brooking, a drug and alcohol counsellor and criminologist who has consistently voiced his concerns about the expenditure on this technology.

He stated that their functionality is nonexistent, and it has always been that way.

In my conversations with prisoners, they have mentioned that there are certain spots within the prison where the jamming devices do not work effectively. This has allowed inmates to make unauthorized phone calls for various purposes such as drug trafficking or communicating with their families.

The oilfield company is required to challenge a $126,000 fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission before the May deadline. This fine was levied against the company for interfering with cellphone calls.

On April 9, the FCC issued a notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard for allegedly deploying four cellular phone jammers to restrict cellphone usage among employees.

The company representatives informed the FCC that the cell jammers, which interfere with cellphone signals, were implemented to deter employees from using their cellphones during work hours.

Taylor was granted a 30-day period starting from April 9 to either settle the penalty or provide a written response to the FCC explaining why the fine should be waived or decreased.

Taylor officials failed to reply to phone calls requesting a statement.

The case commenced subsequent to the FCC receiving a tip and dispatching an agent to the company's premises in Broussard in May 2012. As per the FCC notice, company representatives acknowledged the utilization of four cell jammer and the possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not operational at that time.

The United States strictly prohibits the use of cell jammers, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed a ban on importing these devices from foreign countries. According to the FCC, the Broussard company admitted to purchasing its cell jammers from overseas.

The company was notified by the FCC that the illegal use of signal blockers presented a significant risk to public safety as it could potentially disrupt authorized communications, including emergency calls to 911 and law enforcement communications. Additionally, the use of cell jammers can have a negative impact on global positioning system signals.

Taylor's officials informed the FCC that they made an attempt to restrict employee cellphone usage following a close call that the company attributed in part to an employee using a cellphone, as per FCC records.

In the minutes leading up to noon on September 11, 2018, Jared Johns, a former Army private, lay down on his bed, switched on the camera of his iPhone, and expressed his goodbyes to his family.

Approaching the conclusion of the two-minute video, Johns's eyes widened in horror as he read a message on his screen: "She is informing the police, and you will be imprisoned," the message declared.

Post-Afghanistan service, Johns took a deep breath, positioned a 9 mm handgun under his chin, and proceeded to pull the trigger.

Hundreds of former and current service members, including a 24-year-old veteran, have fallen victim to a distressing "sextortion" scheme. This tragic plot, which ultimately led to the veteran's suicide, involved deceitful individuals masquerading as underage girls on dating sites. Prosecutors claim that these scam artists aimed to extort money from men who were lured into their trap.

Nevertheless, the most startling feature of the narrative in Johns' case was that it was purportedly orchestrated by inmates at Lee Correctional Institution, a high-security prison in South Carolina located about 150 miles east of Greenville. Moreover, the inmates accomplished this using smartphones - prohibited devices that were meant to be blocked by the prison's $1.7 million "managed access system."

Prison administrators, together with select federal bodies, have suggested the purchase of a more complex and potentially more expensive technology to prevent illegal cellular and Wi-Fi communication from contraband phones in correctional facilities: a signal blocker device that is capable of blocking all calls within its operational radius.

Bryan P. Stirling, who leads the South Carolina Department of Corrections, has stated that prisoners, though physically confined, are still free digitally.

Nevertheless, some experts sound a warning about the utilization of jamming technology, which was recently tested by the federal Bureau of Prisons in a South Carolina correctional facility. They caution that such technology could potentially endanger the public by interfering with crucial 911 calls and other cellphone services nearby. In the case of rural prisons, the concern revolves around the impact on drivers using local roads and highways. Additionally, these experts assert that the effectiveness of this technology is highly questionable.

Jamming all calls, even to 911

The challenges at hand have prompted corrections officials and federal agencies to propose the adoption of cellphone jammers, a technology that has faced opposition from the communications industry. This solution seeks to put an end to all calls, irrespective of whether they are made from phones owned by staff or emergency workers.

Unlike managed access systems, which restrict calls to approved numbers, jammers have the capability to interfere with all frequencies, including data and Wi-Fi, without discrimination. This poses a significant problem for the nation's 911 phone system, as it operates on a frequency that is closely related to those used by commercial carriers.

Only federal agencies have the legal authorization to operate jammers, and solely in restricted circumstances concerning national security. Nevertheless, with the endorsement of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai-selected by President Trump in 2017- and the U.S. Department of Justice, the potential use of jammers in correctional facilities may be explored.

September saw the department and state officials releasing news about a test conducted at South Carolina's Broad River Correctional Institution. The test demonstrated that a micro-jammer could effectively block calls within a cell block, while allowing "legitimate calls" a foot outside its walls.

On the other hand, the technical report from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration offered a different perspective. It highlighted that the test solely focused on one out of the 14 jammers required to block calls in half of the cellblock. Furthermore, the report noted the detection of jamming signals at a minimum distance of 65 feet, although the actual impact on regular cell-phone service remained uncertain.

What's the context?

US prison officials harness new technology to crack down on contraband cellphones but some still want powers to jam signals

• South Carolina programme shuts off more than 800 phones


• Federal action on broader signal jamming tech seen as unlikely


• Activists raise privacy, rights concerns for prisoners

Digital privacy rights advocates and tech experts say even solutions less far-reaching than full-blown signal jamming - like the South Carolina pilot - threaten to trample on the rights of prisoners by, for example, sharing legally protected information with private phone companies or carriers.

Digital rights groups have long raised concerns over the push for cellphone jamming systems in prisons, describing them as overreach.

Under federal law, state and local facilities are not allowed to use jamming technology, which is opposed by the telecommunications industry amid concerns that it could knock out signals in areas surrounding prisons.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates communications technology in the U.S., has been wary of signing off on full-blown signal jamming but cleared the way within the last few years for states like South Carolina to implement so-called "contraband interdiction systems."

Stirling is convinced signal jamming is a solid option but does not think it will be authorised in state prisons. It is already allowed in federal institutions.

"I would love to get jamming - I don't see it happening, unfortunately," he said.

Asked if the FCC was contemplating changes, a spokesperson pointed to the federal law banning jamming devices.

Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), says both jamming and interdiction systems like the one used in South Carolina are "chilling options" that could have unintended consequences.

An oilfield company faces a May deadline to contest a $126,000 fine assessed by the Federal Communications Commission against the company for jamming signal cellphone calls.

that on April 9, the FCC adopted a notice of apparent liability against Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing Inc. of Broussard, accusing Taylor of using four cellular phone jammers to curtail cellphone use by employees.

Company officials told the FCC the cell jammers, which disrupted cellphone usage, were used to prevent employees from using cellphones at work.

Taylor was given 30 days from April 9 to pay the penalty or respond to the FCC in writing as to why the fine should be canceled or reduced.

Taylor officials did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

The case began after the FCC received a tip and sent an agent to the company site in Broussard in May 2012. The FCC notice said company officials confirmed use of four cell jammers and possession of a fifth cell jammer, which was not then in use.

Use of cell jammers is prohibited in the United States, and the FCC prohibits companies from importing cell jammers from outside the country. The Broussard company said it bought its cell jammers from overseas, the FCC said.

"These unlawful jammer operations posed a tangible public safety hazard by potentially blocking authorized communications" such as 911 emergency calls and other law enforcement communications, the FCC said in its notice to the company. Cell jammers can also adversely affect global positioning system signals.

Taylor representatives told the FCC it tried to block employee cellphone use after a near accident the company said was partly connected to an employee using a cellphone, according to FCC documents.

Corrections has quietly removed all cellphone jammers from prisons.

The technology, introduced in 2008-09 to prevent inmates using smuggled mobile phones, has cost more than $17 million.

But signal blocker have not been in use since June after being found to interfere with new prison guard safety systems.

When announcing their introduction, then Corrections Minister Phil Goff said cellphone blocking in New Zealand prisons was a major step forward that will stop prisoners committing further offences while behind bars.

Stuff recently obtained details under the Official Information Act about the number of cellphones seized from the 18 prisons run by Corrections over the past three years.

There were 626 cellphones and more than 750 cellphone-related items (such as batteries, chargers, SIM cards etc) found by Corrections staff between January 2023 and November this year.

When asked why inmates would be smuggling cellphones when the prison's had the mobile signal jammer that should render them useless, Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales said the cellphone jammers were removed in June.

The jammers had been found to interfere with new safety systems such as Corrections officer safety alarms, he said.

Advances in cellular technology had also resulted in jammers becoming "increasingly obsolete".

It was "only one of a number of tools used to stop cellphones being used in prisons" and a number of "more effective tools" remain in place, Beales said.

These include Cellsense devices, which detect a range of metals found in cellphones, alongside screening and x-ray capability as well as detection dogs.

"Some people in prison go to extreme and elaborate lengths to introduce contraband into prisons, and we are constantly working to stay one step ahead of new methods used to introduce contraband into our prisons," Beale said.

Corrections was looking at new and emerging technology to complement systems already in place, he said, and had started introducing the use of full body imaging technology at a number of sites to detect contraband that has been concealed on or in a person's body.

In 2018 Corrections admitted cellphone jamming technology created a communications blind spot near Rimutaka Prison, meaning residents of a child sex offender unit outside the wire could not be tracked on-site at the facility.

Cellphones could be used by inmates to put pressure on others outside the wire, or to co-ordinate drug deals, and other offending. In May this year nine prison staff at Rimutaka were suspended for alleged misconduct, including the smuggling of cellphones into the prison.

Drug and alcohol counsellor and criminologist Roger Brooking, who has been critical of the spending on jammers from the outset, said it was not surprising that Corrections had ditched the technology.

"They don't work. They never have worked," he said.

"What prisoners have told me is that they have always managed to find areas within the prisons where the jammer just doesn't seem to operate. So prisoners have been able to continue making cellphone calls to conduct drug deals, talk to family or whatever."