This morning I testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in a hearing on “Contraband Cell Phones in Correctional Facilities: Public Safety Impact and the Potential Implications of Jamming Technologies.”
In my testimony, I emphasized the industry’s commitment to work with Congress, correctional officers and public safety officials to find the right policy and technological solution that won’t harm the public’s legitimate cell phone use outside prisons.
Some of the key points from my testimony included:
- While the wireless industry is committed to helping policymakers to solve the problem of contraband phones in correctional institutions, jamming should not be a preferred solution since other economically viable, non-interfering technologies can assist correctional authorities in stopping the use of contraband phones.
- Cell detection and managed access technologies are superior and preferred alternatives because they are lawful and currently available solutions that would not cause interference for legal consumers or public safety officials. In addition, these non-interfering technologies would avoid the problems associated with jamming and preserve law enforcement’s ability to gather intelligence through wiretaps.
- Imposing tougher penalties for the possession, provision or support of contraband handsets is key to addressing the root of the problem and stopping the supply of such devices in prisons.
My full testimony is available here 
and I hope you’ll take some time to learn more about Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons.
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