Keep Bailing

Cell Phones on The Cell Block?  No One Talks For Free!

Reports that prison guards across the nation are finding more and more cleverly hidden cell phones in inmates cell rooms is not good news for officials. By using dogs and other means, they’ve located more cell phone contraband as of late.  It’s a growing problem. Officials have discovered the connection of these cell phones being used in escapes, drug deals, extortion, and murder.

Guards in 2007 discovered one inmate in Maryland had used a hidden cell phone in an attempt to “order a hit” on a witness who was going to testify against him in a homicide case.

New technologies are  currently being  developed and used to detect whenever a cell phone is turned on or used on prison sites. One company says its technology can block the use of a hidden cell phone, even detect whenever it’s turned on.  Other companies say they can collect information from illegal cell phones and possibly record the conversations, but only if legally authorized.

Currently, to jam a cell phone is illegal. But some have asked that law be overturned by requesting all phones in any prison area be jammed.  This suggestion however  is controversial, as those citizens living close to any prison location could have their 911 calls blocked during real emergencies.

Some corrections officials are for passing the decision to change the law on jamming cell phone calls by making an exception for prisons.  Further talks are underway to get control of what could be a growing danger in our nation’s prison systems.