New Bill Addresses Contraband Cell Phone Use

WASHINGTON — A new bill that will allow states to petition the Federal Communications Committee for approval to jam or block cell phone signals from within prisons was recently passed by the Senate.

The Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009, which next goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, was introduced in an effort to reduce the number of cell phones smuggled into correctional facilities for use by inmates.
Critics argue that jamming technology could interfere with emergency phone calls and legitimate cell phone service near the prison.

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