South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined 22 other state attorneys general in supporting a proposed rule change by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would allow state prisons to use cell phone jamming technology. The coalition sent a letter to the FCC advocating for this measure, arguing it would help disrupt illegal cellular transmissions from contraband phones inside correctional facilities.
“This is something I and three Corrections Directors have been fighting to get passed for years,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Even though prisoners are not allowed to have cell phones, they get smuggled in. These criminals continue to deal drugs and even order hits from behind prison walls. Federal prisons are allowed to jam cell phone signals within their walls, and it causes no problems outside, so state prisons should be allowed to do it too.”
Current FCC rules prohibit jamming equipment use even in controlled environments such as prisons. State officials argue this restriction does not consider the unique security challenges faced by correctional institutions, where inmates frequently use illicit phones for criminal activity that threatens staff, inmates, and public safety.
The new proposal would let prison administrators install targeted jamming systems designed to block unauthorized wireless communication inside facilities while maintaining legitimate service outside. South Carolina’s Department of Corrections has demonstrated technology capable of blocking signals within prison buildings without affecting external coverage.
In addition to South Carolina, attorneys general from states including Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia signed the letter organized by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.
