ATLANTA (WALB) – Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and 21 other attorneys general are calling on Congress to pass legislation that would allow the state to install cell phone jamming systems in correctional facilities.
“This is a nationwide problem and poses a significant risk to our corrections officers and the public at large. We have to do all we can,” Carr said.
Current federal law prohibits the use of jamming techniques, including cell phone jamming. Smuggled cell phones are now used in prisons across the country.
The Georgia Department of Corrections conducted 126 facility-wide adjustments and removed more than 23,000 contraband cell phones. This number includes 8,074 contraband mobile phones seized last year.
GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said, “We thank Attorney General Carr for his efforts to find a solution to this problem, which is paramount in our commitment to public safety. “
The Attorney General sent a letter on January 25 outlining the national challenges related to smuggled cell phones.
“Inmates are using smuggled cell phones to organize murders, riots, drug dealing, fraud, and more,” the letter said. “With smuggled cell phones, inmates can easily continue their criminal activities from inside the prison.”
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