We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.

BUSY SIGNAL

In the wake of a test done at FCI Cumberland in January 2018 (post, Feb. 16, 2018), two legislators have introduced a bill to permit the jamming of cellphone signals in prison facilities.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tennessee) introduced identical measures, S. 952 and H.R. 1954, late last week.

The BOP and state prison officials have long sought the ability to jam the signals, saying that cellphones, smuggled into institutions by the thousands by visitors, employees and even by drones, are misused by inmates to carry out commit crimes and plot violence. However, federal law currently prohibits transmitting a radiofrequency signal for the purpose of interference.

There is little opposition to the jamming bill except from some wireless industry groups, which argue that signal-blocking technologies could thwart legal calls.

S. 952 and H.R. 1954, To provide that the Federal Communications Commission may not prevent a State or Federal correctional facility from utilizing jamming equipment (introduced Mar. 28)

Charlotte Observer, Federal bills would let state prisons jam cellphone signals (Mar. 28)

– Thomas L. Root