The Game Changer is a bill designed to prevent the use of smuggled cell phones in prisons. The Cellular Disorder Reform Act would empower state and federal prisons to disrupt the cell phone signal within the prison walls.
“It would not receive a signal and it would not be able to send a signal,” said Kelley.
Prisoners use mobile phones for drug operations, business deals, and communication with the outside world.
The numbers show that the problem has worsened. According to ADC, there were 1,637 in 2018. There were 1,558 in 2017. In 2016 there were 946.
“I’m sure there are phones that we didn’t catch,” said Kelley.
cell phone jammer can effectively block signals, but the Federal Communications Commission doesn’t allow it.
“There have been deaths caused by them, and it’s a growing problem, and technology is in place to block signals in these areas,” said Kelley.
Wireless companies have raised concerns that signal blocking technology would also stop legal calls. If this law is passed, prison officials could disrupt the use of cells in residential areas. In Arkansas, they would do this in the five high-security prisons.
“That would make up 95 percent,” said Kelley.