In the fight against criminals’ use of prohibited mobile phones, law enforcement agencies may be closer to technologies that can interfere with phone signals in prisons without affecting nearby communications. In January of this year, officials from the Department of Justice and researchers from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration gathered in a federal prison to test technologies that may interfere with radio services. These technologies may interfere with thousands of mobile phones entering the prison each year.
According to NTIA, the test used a prototype of a device provided by an unnamed supplier and successfully shielded commercial cell phone signals in a cell at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland County, Maryland, but only in the building. 20 feet outside the object wall. Commercial radio waves. The Deputy Attorney General Beth Williams of the Department of Justice’s Legal Policy Bureau said in a June 15 statement: “These encouraging test results are a step towards countering the security threats posed by smuggled calls. .”
The ability to destroy prisoners’ cell phones has become an important goal of the US Department of Justice and other federal agencies. Officials say everything from mobile phone smuggling to prisons, from controlling gang activities and violent crimes inside and outside prisons to spreading child pornography and intimidating witnesses, everything can be confusing. The Federal Communications Commission passed regulations in March last year to expedite the approval of anti-smuggling systems in prisons. Because they use commercial spectrum, they require an FCC license to operate. Such systems either detect broadcasts or use management access methods developed from licensed commercial frequencies
According to a study, NTIA researchers installed a portable jammer for mobile phones next to a 13-by-8-foot storage room on the basement level of the storage room. This study claims that it has successfully blocked mobile phone transmissions in the commercial frequency band between 700 and 2170 MHz, but if it is monitored at 20 feet and 100 feet from the cell, it will not interfere with commercial transmissions . However, under NTIA, another study is needed to determine whether the technology poses a potential threat to commercially licensed radio services outside the prison walls. There are still some obstacles. The agency found that the test results only apply to their respective locations, and the results in other prison facilities vary widely.
According to NTIA’s research, multiple systems are needed to completely cover the detention camp-up to 100 jammer systems for mobile phones. This can cause serious power problems. Williams said: “The results show that this micro-interference technology will have a local impact.” “This is an encouraging signal that brings us closer to making our communities safer and helping prevent crime in prisons. Solutions that continue to occur.” The Ministry of Justice stated that the Bureau of Prisons will use the report to give a better strategic overview of the new technology and continue testing.