NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new step by the federal government would allow state prisons to block the signals of contraband cellphones, which Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada called "a gamechanger in corrections."

For years, inmates across the country have used illegal cellphones to continue committing crimes inside prisons, putting the public's safety at risk.

“That cellphone, I kind of look at it as a weapon," Strada said. “I equate it to having a weapon because it can seriously do harm to an individual, even though it’s an electronic device.” 

Contraband cellphones provide inmates with a connection to the outside world. Before Strada's time as the TDOC commissioner, there were cases of inmates in Tennessee who used illegal cellphones to arrange hits and escapes.

In 2005, an inmate in Roane County organized an escape with an illegal cellphone by using it to call his wife, who then shot and killed correction officer Wayne "Cotton" Morgan.

Now, the Federal Communications Commission has taken the first step to allow state prisons to jam cellphone signals, which is currently banned under the Communications Act of 1934.

“The way that the technology was explained to me is it will pinpoint the area of the cellphone and render that area inoperable, so it won’t affect the outside areas or communities," Strada explained. "I think that was what the hesitation was prior to this. Now the technology allows us to identify the signal in a specific area, and that’s what we would do is target the areas.” 

Despite this, some worry jamming could potentially block 911 calls made from outside of prisons, and interfere with prison surveillance and lock systems, making it easier for inmates to escape.

However, Strada told News 2 jamming would greatly reduce the amount of criminal activity inside prisons, not only in Tennessee, but across the country, which is why he worked with Tennessee lawmakers in Washington on legislation to allow the technology in state prisons.

"It would have just a sweeping reform of contraband inside our institutions," Strada said. “I think it’s going to be a game changer in corrections, and one thing in corrections, we're always trying to find ways to mitigate contraband and illegal activity, which is occurring in prisons, just to create a safer environment for everyone.” 

The FCC's passage of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was just the first step toward a regulation change. Next, the commission will gather public feedback before making a final vote.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/fcc-paves-way-for-cellphone-jamming-in-state-prisons/