A series of video news reports on the problem of smuggled prison cell phones in California. This report includes an interesting interview with a prisoner (via his contraband phone!) claiming that most of the contraband cell phones come from the prison guards and that most of the prisoners use the phones to stay in contact with friends and family rather than to plan crimes.
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An article about a prison in Australia highlighting the problem of contraband technology being smuggled into prisons. It is not just contraband prison cell phones which are a problem in this particular facility. Prisoners in one of Victoria’s most secure jails have been using webcams and wireless internet devices to enjoy freedom on the outside world. The Herald Sun can reveal two cameras, a wireless USB internet stick and several USBs containing data were found […]
This article is a discussion of the problem of contraband cell phones in Ohio prisons. Same issues as everywhere else with the same lack of solutions. However, a secure cell phone service is a solution to the contraband prison cell phone problem. With meshDETECT, the demand for illegal wireless devices is reduced, thereby reducing the contraband value of smuggled cell phones for those who supply them. That means less reward for the same risk and […]
Perhaps Bexar County Jail should re-examine its policy on allowing guards to bring in food, a judge suggested this week as two ex-jailers were convicted in separate courtrooms for smuggling contraband. State District Judge Sid Harle made the comment Monday as he sentenced former jailer William Douglas Hemphill, 33, to five years’ deferred adjudication for smuggling a cell phone to an inmate in a box of ramen noodles. Two months earlier, Harle had sentenced ex-jailer […]
This decision is interesting for a number of reasons. First, it acknowledges that implementing in prison the technologies that are in common use outside of prison can reduce contraband, improve detainee behavior and guard safety; all while raising revenue for the DOC. We believe the meshDETECT secure cell phone service will accomplish the same goals. However, using our secure cell phones to access email or MP3s is operationally much more efficient and cost effective by […]
Kershaw County traffic officers made a prison contraband seizure while patrolling on I-20 Saturday. Deputies say they conducted a traffic stop on Reco Maurice Bell of Columbia. A routine driver’s license check indicated that Bell was driving under suspension and operating an uninsured vehicle, said Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews. While interviewing Bell, deputies noticed two duffel bags on the rear seat of his vehicle and asked for permission to search. The officers said in […]
It seems at some prisons, almost anything can be smuggled in and in this prison contraband cell phones are the least of the of the problems. Prison officials have opened an inquiry into an embarrassing photo report that shows prisoners throwing a Roman-themed party complete with togas and fake swords, as well as tequila and caviar, right in a cell. The photos were leaked Monday by the tabloid news site Lifenews.ru, which said they depicted […]
Another prison, another guard, another contraband cell phone… A Corrections Officer has been arrested and charged for his alleged participation in delivering contraband to an inmate. The Western Correctional Institution (WCI) Officer is facing termination after prison intelligence officers suspected he was attempting to bring contraband to an inmate and notified local and federal law enforcement authorities. Officer Brian Hawk, 33, a 9 year veteran of the Division of Corrections is now faces charges of […]
Two cell phones were discovered last week at the Federal Corrections Institution in Seagoville, NBCDFW has learned. FCI Seagoville executive assistant Jeff Butler would not elaborate how the phones may have gotten there. “We investigate all allegations,” Butler said during a phone interview Thursday. “This is still under investigation.” Operations at the federal prison are back to normal after guards worked for several days to locate all the smuggled phones. The prison in Seagoville is […]
This article on California’s contraband prison cell phone problem speaks for itself…But a key statement is, “Both prison officials and inmates we spoke with agreed that a large majority of inmates are using the phones to stay in contact with loved ones.” A secure prison cell phone service will reduce the contraband value of smuggled cell phones and allow detainees to keep in contact with loved ones. The smuggling of cell phones into California’s state […]