Historically, crimes committed by prisoners have always existed in prisons, such as stabbing or smuggling cigarettes illegally. However, mobile phones with Internet access now allow unlimited range.
For example, five prisoners in South Carolina were accused of blackmailing 442 soldiers last year. The inmates used mobile phones in the prison, pretended to be women on dating sites, flirted with soldiers, and sent nude photos of naked women found online, which they allegedly claimed to be selfies.
Then, they called out the men and greeted them with their real male voices instead of women, pretending to be the girl’s father, claiming that their daughters were underage, and threatening to tell law enforcement officers that they possessed pornography. Naive, unless you send money. The detainees received more than US$560,000 in this way until they were arrested.
Although some prisoners managed to smuggle mobile phones, mobile phones are still illegal in prison.
One solution is to interfere with cell phone signals in specific geographic areas, such as prisons. However, under current laws, only the federal government can do this. The state government cannot, although only about 12% of prisoners are in federal prisons.
The Cell Phone handheld jammer Reform Act will allow state governments to block cell phone signals in state prisons.
The bill is not required, which means that if states are unwilling, they will not have to block such signals. But this will be the first time this option is allowed.
The internal version was introduced by representative David Kustoff (R-TN8) on March 28 under invoice number HR 1954. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the bill on the same day as Bill 952.
What are the supporters saying?
Supporters believe that the bill improves public safety by preventing convicted felons from continuing their criminal activities while in custody, which has consequences outside the prison. Broadband mobile phones are a major problem in prisons across the country. Congress has long taken various measures to protect the public from criminals, who will continue to carry out illegal activities. “Prisoners use these phones for drug operations,
Senator Cotton said: “Prisoners use smuggled mobile phones to lead illegal activities outside the prison, including assaults on competitors, sex transactions, drug-related activities and trade agreements.” In another press release: “Mobile jammers. This can be stopped, but the Federal Communications Act does not allow facilities to use the technology. [According to the Act] criminals are serving it. Their sentence does not pose a threat to the public.”
What is the opponent saying
Opponents believe that the problem has nothing to do with illegal cell phone signals, but with legally authorized calls.
David Pathi, head of the National Prison Program of the American Civil Liberties Association, told Pew: “Prisons themselves make it very difficult and expensive for inmates to call relatives through legal channels, which helps build demand for contraband. “Trust”. The cost of calling a prison’s fixed line is up to $56 for four minutes. Fathi told YourErie.com that a better way is to reduce the cost of fixed-line calls in prisons so that prisoners no longer use contraband phones.
Pass the opportunity
The Senate version has two co-sponsors, both Republicans. He is waiting for a possible vote from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The House version is co-sponsored by Republicans. He is waiting for a potential vote from the House Energy and Trade Committee.