Georgia attorney general asks federal government to take action on cell phone jammers in prisons and jails

Attorney General Chris Carr is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promptly authorize the use of cell phone jamming devices in state prisons and local jails. The FCC currently has a ban on cell phone jammers, which applies to both state and local authorities. However, contraband cell phones are being utilized in correctional facilities across the nation to coordinate violent acts and other criminal activities, creating significant safety concerns for correctional staff, visitors, inmates, and the general public.

Carr stated, "Implementing cell phone jamming technology in prisons and jails is the most effective method to safeguard the public from the dangers posed by contraband cell phones; however, the FCC persists in hindering our initiatives. This antiquated policy restricts essential law enforcement resources, creates perilous environments for correctional staff, and facilitates the growth of criminal organizations both within and beyond prison confines. Our dedication to fighting violent crime in all its forms drives us to urge the federal government to eliminate this significant obstacle to public safety."

In the state of Georgia, authorities seized 8,074 contraband cell phones in 2023, with an additional 5,482 confiscated so far in 2024. Recently, a prominent figure from the notorious "Yves Saint Laurent Squad" gang utilized a smuggled cell phone to orchestrate a hit, leading to the tragic death of an 88-year-old veteran from Georgia. Similarly, a gang leader in North Carolina managed to arrange the kidnapping of a prosecutor's father using a cell phone while incarcerated. In California, prison gangs have exploited contraband cell phones to orchestrate murders within the prison system and facilitate drug trafficking.

"Numerous instances nationwide illustrate how contraband cell phones can serve as lethal tools in the hands of inmates, enabling them to perpetuate their criminal activities. We are outraged by the lengths to which these individuals will go to maintain their operations and jeopardize public safety," stated Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "As the methods for smuggling contraband cell phones into our facilities become more sophisticated, the availability of jamming technology is crucial in our fight against these efforts. We are grateful for Attorney General Carr's support in our unwavering dedication to public safety and the secure functioning of our facilities."

In his correspondence, Carr highlights that the FCC's policy is based on legislation established in the early 1990s, prior to the time when prison inmates started utilizing contraband cell phones for planning and participating in illegal and hazardous activities.

Carr also notes that the wording of 47 U.S.C § 333 does not prevent the FCC from changing its stance to permit state agencies to utilize cell phone jamming devices within correctional facilities. Moreover, the United States Bureau of Prisons has acknowledged the potential benefits of cell phone jammers and is authorized to deploy such devices in multiple federal prisons, including at least one located in Georgia.