MARYLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL JOINS BIPARTISAN COALITION TO ADDRESS CONTRABAND CELL PHONES IN PRISONS
State of Maryland - Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, along with a bipartisan coalition of 31 attorneys general, has urged Congress to pass federal legislation to combat contraband cell phones in prisons.
The proposed bills, H.R. 2350 and S. 1137, would enable states to implement cell phone jamming systems in correctional facilities, reducing inmates' ability to coordinate criminal activities from within the walls of prison.
"Contraband cell phones are not just a security risk; they directly threaten public safety by allowing dangerous individuals to orchestrate violent crimes, traffic drugs, and terrorize victims from behind bars," stated Attorney General Brown. "This legislation is a crucial step toward preventing prisons from becoming command centers for crime. Congress must act now to empower states to protect our communities."
The Threat of Contraband Cell Phones
Contraband cell phones have become a pervasive issue in correctional facilities, with a 2020 survey recording 25,840 illicit phones discovered across 20 state prison systems in just one year. These devices give inmates unrestricted communication capabilities that can facilitate:
- Drug trafficking operations
- Violent crimes, both within and outside of prison walls
- Sophisticated fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations
- Witness intimidation and victim harassment
- Escape attempts, which pose risks to law enforcement and public safety
For example, a 2023 prosecution in Maryland demonstrated that a contraband phone at Roxbury Correctional Institution played a key role in executing a complex identity fraud scheme.
Cell Phone Jamming Technology
The proposed legislation would allow for the controlled use of cell phone jamming technology in prisons, effectively "hanging up" on unauthorized communications while still preserving access to critical emergency services such as 911. Jamming technology works by disrupting communication between mobile phones and cell towers within a targeted area, thereby neutralizing the use of contraband devices.
Currently, federal law prohibits states from deploying this technology, leaving correctional facilities vulnerable to the growing dangers posed by contraband cell phones. H.R. 2350 and S. 1137 aim to address this regulatory gap by granting states the authority to implement jamming systems.
Bipartisan Support for the Initiative
The coalition of attorneys general stresses the urgency of this issue, describing it as "a matter of public safety," and highlights the bipartisan nature of their effort.
Attorneys general from states including Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Virginia, among others, have united in support of this legislative initiative.
"This is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of public safety," the bipartisan coalition reiterated in a letter to Congress.
Next Steps
The coalition is urging Congress to act quickly to pass H.R. 2350 and S. 1137 during its upcoming 2025 session. Allowing states to deploy targeted cell phone jamming systems will provide correctional facilities with a vital tool to enhance security and public safety.
