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Senate committee backs resolution urging Congress to allow cell‑phone jamming in prisons
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 617, urging Congress to permit signal jamming equipment in state and federal correctional facilities, passed the committee (10 ayes, 1 present, not voting) after supporters described inmate telephone use to coordinate drug drops and intimidation.
Senator Rose presented SJR617 urging Congress to allow correctional facilities to use signal jamming equipment. Supporters described security problems stemming from inmates' access to contraband phones and the coordination of outside activity: "the gangs are running the prisons... they're coordinating drops for drugs and cell phones," Senator Rose said during debate.
Members asked about emergency communications and whether other methods (landlines, walkie‑talkies) would suffice; proponents said correctional facilities retain other communication methods for emergencies. The committee recommended the resolution for adoption to the calendar committee (vote recorded as 10 ayes, 1 present, not voting).
