Calls to Jam Signals Around Prisons Over Unauthorized Cellphones Essay

Introduction

The video Calls to Jam Signals around Prisons over Unauthorized Cellphones by NBC News (2018) highlights the story of a riot in the South Carolina Maximum Security Prison that lasted for seven hours and left many inmates dead. The violence spread in the facility due to unauthorized use of cell phones by the inmates. According to the video, cellphone use among inmates inside a prison is highly discouraged; however, statistics indicate that the Federal guards confiscated over five thousand cellphones in 2016. Furthermore, in South Carolina, prison officers usually seize one mobile phone in every three inmates, which is the highest rate in the country (NBC News, 2018). Even though stringent rules exist to prevent the use of cellphones by inmates, the gadgets continue flowing in the jails. Captain Robert Johnson who was an officer was nearly shot dead outside his home through a coordinated attack via an inmate in South Carolina Maximum Security Prison who ordered the hit. The Federal Communication Commission has been advised to jam signals around prisons, but it has defended the move stating that cell phone jamming causes more problem than it solves. The South Carolina Prison is planning to install a system that will block calls and text messages from unauthorized phones. Besides, the Mississippi State Penitentiary has utilized the technology and has produced amicable results. It is said that call attempts from the inmates using illegal mobile phones reduced to seventy-nine percent

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Reaction toward the Video

The video raises many questions regarding the level of security in the facilities. Firstly, the questions of how the cellphones are moved from the outside to the inside and reach the inmates remain unquestioned. Before taking action and installing a system that will block incoming calls and texts in prison, it is advisable that the security guards be investigated and determines whether some of them are collaborating with the inmates. The rules are strict and discourage the use of unapproved cell phones in the prisons, yet the numbers continue to increase. This justifies the need to identify the mole that is collaborating with the prisoners and destroy it entirely then proceed with the installation of the system. South Carolina Maximum Security Prison should fasten the installation of the new system because based on the recent incidences of riots and murder attempts on security guards such as Captain Robert Johnson; the use of cellphones by inmates poses a severe threat to the lives of the security officers. The mobile phones provide the prisoners with the freedom to transact illegal businesses inside their cells such as to pay hit men outside the facilities to conduct unlawful activities. The prison administration should conduct regular checks to ensure that the inmates do not possess unauthorized cell phones. The technological approach seems promising toward the reduction of criminal activities by inmates inside the security facilities. It has worked in Mississippi, and there is a high likelihood that it will produce amicable results in South Carolina Maximum Security Prison. The government should support the installation of such systems in all penitentiaries in the United States to ensure crime is reduced significantly. The inclusion of all the relevant stakeholders towards this course will eliminate the problem of cellphones by inmates that has been affecting many prison facilities. The blocking of incoming calls and text will prevent inmates from accessing information electronically. The well-being and safety of the security officers will be protected as well as peace in the prison facility.

References

NBC News. (2018). Calls to jam signals around prisons over unauthorized cellphones [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpmkHyxqNco