Historically, crimes committed by prisoners have always existed in prison, such as stabbing or illegal smuggling of cigarettes. However, phones with Internet access now allow unlimited range.For example, last year, five South Carolina detainees were charged with blackmailing 442 soldiers. Prisoners use mobile phones in prison, claiming to be women on dating sites, flirting with soldiers, and sending nude photos of naked women found online, allegedly they are selfies.
Then, they called the men and called them with their real male voices instead of women ’s names, claimed to be the girl ’s father, claimed that their daughter was a minor, and threatened to tell the police that they had pornography. Childish unless you send money. Before being arrested, the prisoners earned more than $ 560,000 in this way.
Although some prisoners managed to smuggle their phones, they were still illegal in prison.
One solution is to disturb cell phone signals in specific geographic areas (such as prisons). However, under current law, only the federal government can do this. The state government cannot, even if only about 12% of the prisoners are in federal prisons.
The portable jammer reform law will allow state governments to block mobile phone signals in state prisons.
The bill is not an obligation, which means that states do not have to block such signals if they do not want to do so. But this will be the first time this option is allowed.
The internal version was introduced by Representative David Kustoff (R-TN8) on March 28th with invoice number HR 1954. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) was introduced on the same day as Act 952.
What do supporters say?
Supporters believe that the bill improves public safety by preventing convicted criminals from continuing their criminal activities while in prison, which has consequences outside the prison. Broadband mobile phones are a major problem in prisons across the country. Congress has been taking action for a long time to protect the public from criminals who continue to engage in illegal activities in prisons, “Kostrev ’s representative said in a press release.“ Prisoners use mobile phones for drug surgery,
Senator Corton said: “Prisoners use contraband mobile phones to lead illegal activities outside the prison, including beating competitors, sex trafficking, drug-related activities and trade agreements.” In another press release, “Mobile phone jammers It can be stopped, but the Federal Communications Law does not allow facilities to use the technology. [Under the Act] criminals are serving their sentences. Their sentence will not pose a threat to the public. ”
What opponents say
Opponents believe that the issue has nothing to do with prohibited cell phone signals, but with legally authorized calls.
David Pathi, head of the ACLU National Prison Project, said: “The prison itself makes it very difficult and expensive for prisoners to call their loved ones through legal channels, thus helping to establish the demand for contraband.” Trust “. The cost of calling a prison fixed line is four minutes Up to $ 56. Fathi told YourErie.com that a better way is to reduce the cost of making landline calls in prison so that prisoners no longer use prohibited cell phones.
Opportunity to pass，The Senate version has two co-sponsors and two Republicans. He is awaiting a possible vote from the Senate Committee on Trade, Science and Transportation.The House version is sponsored by the Republican Party. He is awaiting a potential vote from the House Energy and Trade Committee.