CellAntenna Shifts Focus from Jamming to Detecting Contraband Cellphones

"CellAntenna has developed sophisticated equipment which can jam contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities with laser-like precision,” the filing states. “CellAntenna also has developed a program by which contraband wireless devices can be detected and identified within correctional facilities by serial number. ... Importantly, CellAntenna’s detection system also identifies the carrier providing service to the contraband wireless device."

The FCC should approve rules under which prison officials would perform sweeps for contraband phones and then, when detected, pass identifying serial numbers along to carriers, CellAntenna said. Carriers would then send a warning message to the owner of the device and be required to suspend service within an hour of being notified by the prison. “CellAntenna’s proposed rule puts the responsibility for management of contraband wireless devices precisely where it belongs: in the hands of CMRS providers,” the company said.

CTIA is still reviewing the CellAntenna filing, said Brian Josef, assistant vice president. “CTIA and wireless carriers have demonstrated through cooperative efforts with Departments of Corrections and technology vendors their desire to help prisons solve their problem of contraband cellphones,” he said. “We will continue to work with those vendors offering viable solutions."

The Bureau of Prisons could improve detection of contraband cellphones by better reviewing its methods and increasing coordination with states, the General Accountability Office said in a report released Tuesday. The Justice Department concurred and CTIA praised the recommendations. The GAO report was required by the Cell Phone Contraband Act passed last year.

The Bureau and states “confiscated thousands of cell phones in 2010” due to the risk of the phones being used for “unmonitored conversations that could further criminal activity, such as selling drugs or harassing other individuals,” GAO said. The number of phones confiscated in federal prisons has increased in each of the last two years, GAO said. But while the bureau has “taken actions to address” contraband cellphone use, it “could better evaluate existing technologies to maximize its investment decisions,” GAO said. The bureau “screens visitors and staffs to detect contraband and has also tested multiple cell-phone detection technologies,” GAO said. But it hasn’t “developed evaluation plans for institutional use to measure the effectiveness of these tests.” A more open exchange of ideas between the bureau’s regional offices and states could also improve contraband cellphone detection, GAO said.

Some prisoner advocates say prisoners use cellphones because inmate phone rates are too high, but GAO said lowering the rates could increase the risk of violence and escape attempts. “Inmates would benefit from the ability to make cheaper phone calls, but lower rates could result in less revenue and lower profits, and therefore fewer funds available for inmate wages and recreational activities,” GAO said. “According to BOP officials, when inmates have few opportunities for physical activity, idleness increases, and the risk of violence, escapes, and other disruptions also rises.” The bureau’s payphone rates are usually lower than those in state and military prisons, GAO said.

CTIA agreed that the Bureau should “formulate evaluation plans that both support a consistent approach to testing cellphone detection technologies and strengthen decisions about deploying cellphone detection projects,” said CTIA President Steve Largent. “The GAO does not recommend jamming, and in fact is consistent with our view that jamming wireless signals can cause interference to cellphone signals outside of a prison institution and violates the Communications Act.” The wireless industry association supports “efforts to prevent the smuggling of contraband phones into correctional facilities and will continue to work with the appropriate authorities to combat this problem.”