Panel Approves Prison Cell Bill
Legislation that would ban inmates in some prisons from using smuggled cellular phones took a step toward the Senate floor Wednesday when the Commerce Committee approved the measure sponsored by ranking member Kay Bailey Hutchison. Her bill would allow the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a governor or a governor's designee to petition the FCC for a wireless jamming device for a correctional facility. Hutchison's bill includes safeguards to ensure that jamming does not impair the ability of public safety officials or legitimate commercial mobile radio services outside a prison's walls.
"Imprisoned convicts are using contraband cell phones to coordinate murders, plot extortion schemes, and run drug trafficking, credit card fraud, and identity theft enterprises," Hutchison said in a statement. "Prisons are meant to stop the commission of crimes, but cell phones inside prisons mean business as usual for dangerous felons. With innocent lives on the line, Congress has a responsibility to make available all technologies that can prevent the illicit use of cell phones in prisons."
Wireless industry association CTIA said its members believe policy should favor non-interfering technologies but appreciate Hutchison's willingness to redraft her bill to protect commercial and emergency services from interference. AT&T Executive Vice President Tim McKone said his company supports Hutchison's effort and urged the full Senate to act. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, has introduced a companion bill in the House. Consumer groups and think tanks have warned the bills could cause more problems then they would solve. Read more here.
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