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

Chris Carr, serving as Attorney General, is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate steps to enable the use of cell phone jamming devices in state prisons and local jails. The FCC's current prohibition on cell phone jammer extends to state and local governments. However, the presence of contraband cell phones in prisons and jails nationwide is facilitating the planning of violent acts and other criminal activities, which poses a significant risk to the safety of correctional officers, visitors, inmates, and the general public.

"The most effective means of protecting the public from the dangers of contraband cell phones is to permit the use of cell phone jamming technology in correctional facilities; however, the FCC continues to block our initiatives," Carr stated. "This outdated guidance limits essential law enforcement tools, poses risks to correctional officers, and allows criminal networks to thrive both inside and outside of prisons. We are dedicated to fighting violent crime wherever it occurs, which is why we continue to urge the federal government to eliminate this considerable barrier to public safety."

In 2023, Georgia reported the confiscation of 8,074 contraband cell phones, with an additional 5,482 taken in 2024 so far. A recent incident highlighted the misuse of such devices when a leader of the "Yves Saint Laurent Squad" orchestrated a hit via a contraband phone, resulting in the death of an 88-year-old veteran. In North Carolina, a gang leader managed to arrange the kidnapping of a prosecutor's father using a cell phone while incarcerated. Additionally, California prison gangs have exploited contraband cell phones to facilitate murders and drug trafficking operations.

"Many examples from across the nation highlight how contraband cell phones can be transformed into deadly weapons by inmates, allowing them to continue their criminal operations. We are outraged by the lengths to which these individuals will go to perpetuate their activities and threaten public safety," stated Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. "As the strategies for infiltrating our facilities with contraband cell phones become more sophisticated, access to jamming technology is vital in our efforts to combat these challenges. We are thankful for Attorney General Carr's support in our continuous commitment to public safety and the secure management of our facilities."

In his written communication, Carr observes that the FCC's policy is based on a law enacted in the early 1990s, a time before prison inmates started employing contraband cell phones to orchestrate and engage in unlawful and risky behavior.

Carr points out that nothing in the provisions of 47 U.S.C § 333 prevents the FCC from revising its policy to permit state agencies to use cell phone jamming devices in correctional facilities. In fact, the United States Bureau of Prisons has already acknowledged the potential effectiveness of these signal jammers and is permitted to utilize them in several federal prisons, including at least one in Georgia.