Moreover, jammers could disrupt or prevent authorized calls, including 9-1-1 calls, from civilians living, working and travelling in proximity to a prison using jammers. National public safety groups have stated their concern about vital communications being disrupted as a result of illegal jamming. Interference from jammers is likely because public safety radio communications operate in frequency bands adjacent to those used for commercial mobile communications. Already, there has been increased FCC enforcement against illegal jammers that have interfered with public safety communications and GPS signals. The use of jammers in prisons to stop the use of contraband cell phones by inmates could interfere with police, fire and emergency medical communications.

There is a very good public safety reason for the prohibition of jammers. The Communications Act of 1934 broadly prohibits jamming devices, including cell phone jammers, and the FCC cannot waive this statutory prohibition. However, that's not easy, not preferable, and not legal. Well, some argue, just jam the cell phones. And, it's a problem the FCC is committed to help solve. This is a national problem that has been of concern for state and local law enforcement and department of corrections officials for sometime. An inmate's illegal activity may involve discussions with fellow criminals outside the prison walls about drug trafficking, money laundering or intimidating witnesses - or worse, plotting their murders. Despite federal and some state laws prohibiting their possession, today, thousands of prisoners nationwide are in possession of contraband cell phones and are conducting illegal enterprises despite serving time for other crimes. Today, prisons across the nation are reportedly confiscating thousands of cell phones from inmates, yet this contraband is still being used by inmates daily.Ĭell phones in the hands of prisoners present a serious threat to public safety.

And, it seems, neither can the nation's inmates. Just last month, Georgia inmates are reported to have used them to coordinate a work strike across a number of the state's prisons.Ī cell phone these days is apparently something the average American cannot live without. Corcoran, California Prison authorities confirmed that Manson had been in contact with people outside the prison walls, and for some time. A few weeks ago a cell phone was found in Charles Manson's California prison cell.

Georgia police stop contraband