CTIA, Corrections Officials, at Odds on Benefits of Cell Jamming in Prisons

"Despite the Commission’s definitive statements opposing the use of jamming technologies, several parties in this proceeding continue to press for the authorization of jammers in prisons,” CTIA said (http://bit.ly/15qsWEM). “As the Commission indicated in the NPRM, jamming by non-Federal entities is illegal. This proceeding raises several important questions about the operation of managed access and detection systems, and the Commission should focus its efforts on these lawful measures and avoid illegal jamming.” The record shows that “a variety of managed access and detection solutions have proven highly effective in combating the use of contraband wireless devices in prisons, without the negative effects associated with unlawful jammers,” the wireless association said.

In 2007, CellAntenna asked the FCC to allow the sale of jamming equipment to state and local law enforcement. Four years later, the company asked the FCC to require carriers to suspend service to contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities. “A review of the comments demonstrates support for all of Jamming, Managed Access Systems (MAS), and Detect and Deactivate methods. CellAntenna urges the Commission to act to make all available to use, as the circumstances at each correctional facility dictate,” CellAntenna said (http://bit.ly/1feDd8m). “MAS may be appropriate for larger correctional facilities, but financially impractical for smaller ones. At the same time, none of these means of interdiction is perfect. Even at its higher cost, MAS is subject to abuses by personnel working with inmates to circumvent the rules.” But the comments make clear that “numerous states, correctional departments, and corrections staff unions consider jamming to be a useful and effective response to the problem of illegal mobile phones in jails and prisons,” CellAntenna said.

The problem of contraband cellphones in prisons will worsen with time, ACA said. “We support any and all measures that will help facilitate the development of multiple technologies,” the group said (http://bit.ly/14yoHXR). “It is critical that we in corrections be given every possible tool in the toolbox to combat this problem."

Verizon Wireless agreed with CTIA that the FCC should not allow jamming. Verizon also said the FCC should not directly license managed access systems. “Carriers have been working cooperatively with Solutions Providers to facilitate deploying managed access and detection systems and there is no evidence that regulation is needed,” the carrier said (http://bit.ly/15cxv8f). In addition to violating the statutory prohibition against jamming, “jamming solutions would prevent all communications and would block legitimate communication, including communication from public safety and other customers, in the vicinity of and within prisons,” Verizon said.

AT&T supports the use of either managed access or detection systems, though some issues remain unresolved, the company said. “AT&T believes the issue of how to remove contraband devices from prisons, once they are identified, deserves further consideration,” AT&T said (http://bit.ly/17Z08C3). “The FCC lacks the authority to invest prison officials with the power to order carriers to deactivate devices. Moreover, because detection systems are likely to identify not only contraband devices operated unlawfully within a correctional institution but also devices being operated lawfully within the institution or nearby that are not contraband devices, carriers who deactivate devices other than pursuant to a valid court order do so at considerable risk.”

Initial comments were due at the FCC in July (CD July 22 p17). The FCC Public Safety Bureau extended the reply comment deadline until Friday at ACA’s request.