Since the first high profile prison managed access system (MAS) jammer deployment to thwart contraband cell phones at the MDOC facility in Parchman, MS., state departments of correction around the country have been evaluating the technology for potential deployment. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) announced a statewide deployment of cell phone jammers, despite high profile concerns about their effectiveness. And recently, Texas and Maryland moved to test the technology in their prison […]
state prison
7 posts
If prisoners can have access to MP3 players, video games, email, and cable TV, why not cell phones? After all, contraband cell phones are a huge problem. In California alone, over 15,000 smuggled cell phones were confiscated from prisoners in 2011. Clearly, there is a demand for more communication by prisoners. Why not provide them a secure prison cell phone solution that maintains all the security and forensic capabilities of prison pay phones? Access to […]
This article discusses the impact prison telephone service commissions have on the overall cost of prisoner’s calling loved ones. The article quotes the recent GAO study on contraband cell phones at the BOP, “lowering rates could increase communication between inmates and their families, helping the inmates reintegrate when they got out of prison. But there would be less money available for things like paying wages for inmate labor and offering education and recreational activities.” Bureau […]
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 […]
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 […]
This brief article mentions that 104 contraband prison cell phones had a prison value of $50,000. That’s $480 per smuggled prison cell phone. Ironwood State Prison (ISP) Warden Timothy Busby announced the donation of 104 cell phones, cell phone chargers and other cell phone related items to the “Cell Phone for Soldiers” Organization. It was founded in 2004 and it turns old cell phones into prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas. They are […]
This article shows what a business operation the smuggling of cell phones into prison has become. Contraband cell phones have become as desired as drugs in prisons and jails. The contraband value of these smuggled cell phones can be reduced by providing an alternative, prison sanctioned, secure cell phone service. Update (8/9/12): Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that a former correction officer at Northern State Prison in Newark was sentenced to prison today for […]