Irish Prisons Face Cell Phone Problems

DUBLIN, Ireland — Correctional authorities seized nearly 1,400 cell phones during 2007, following a crackdown on the unauthorized possession of the devices in prisons.

Since May 1, it is against the law for an inmate to possess or use a cell phone without the prior consent of the prison governor. The legislation is part of a series of measures implemented by authorities following growing concerns that prisoners are using cell phones to direct and initiate criminal activities, while behind bars.

With an average daily prison population of 3,100 prisoners, the Irish Prison Service operates 14 prison and detention facilities throughout Ireland .

Almost 500 of the seized cell phones were discovered at Dublin’s medium-security Mountjoy Prison, built in 1851, while another 169 were found at Ireland ‘s oldest prison facility in Limerick , which has been in continuous operation since 1821, officials say.

More than 150 cell phones were discovered at the medium-security Wheatfield Prison, which was built in 1989. Authorities also seized cell phones at 10 additional facilities scattered throughout the country, with hauls ranging from four to 97 devices.

Under the updated Prisons Act, prisoners caught and convicted of unlawful possession of mobile telecommunications equipment face an additional five years imprisonment and fines of up to about $13,000, officials say.

In August, the first prosecution to be brought under the new law resulted in three prisoners sentenced to 30 days for unlawful possession of a cell phone. An additional six prisoners had their cases postponed.

The new telecommunications legislation was introduced after a prisoner at the maximum security Portlaoise jail called into a live radio program using a cell phone. The incident also led to an investigation into security protocols at prisons throughout Ireland and increased efforts by authorities to locate cell phones and other contraband.

A subsequent two-day search of the Portlaoise facility uncovered 17 cell phones, five SIM cards, 11 chargers, eight batteries, three plasma televisions, a DVD player and two birds, officials say.

The Irish Prison Service is examining the possibility of blocking cell phone signals within the perimeter of prison facilities, officials say.

North of the border, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, which houses almost 1,500 prisoners at three facilities — from minimum- to maximum-security — reported the seizure of 14 SIM cards and more than 40 cell phones during the last year.

Authorities in Northern Ireland are considering the introduction of similar legislation.