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October 7, 2011 By Brian Heaton
A new law that authorizes the use of “managed access technology” to block wireless transmissions in California prisons is now on the books in California.
SB 26, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima and signed by California Gov. Edmund G. Brown on Oct. 6, is effective immediately. The law also imposes stiff penalties for the possession and smuggling of cell phones in state penal facilities.
“We know that inmates with cell phones are ordering murders, organizing escapes, facilitation drug deals, controlling street gangs and terrorizing rape victims,” Padilla said in a statement. “Beginning today, this new law provides the tools to crack down on cell phones in California’s prisons and stop these criminal acts.”
The law authorizes the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to use technology to identify unauthorized cellular transmissions and disrupt incoming and outgoing calls, text messages and e-mails within a defined perimeter.
When contacted by Government Technology via e-mail in September, Joe Panora, CDCR’s CIO and director of enterprise information services said CDCR was in the midst of a “competitive procurement” of the managed access technology.
“The Managed Access System (MAS) is meant to provide interruption of unauthorized cellular wireless devices without the interference of authorized wireless [equipment] and other emergency response communications,” Panora said. “MAS will be deployed at all CDCR adult institutions and juvenile facilities. The system will be hosted and centrally managed by the contractor and administration.”
Until the procurement process for the MAS has concluded will CDCR be looking at other temporary ways to block cell signals and impede cell usage?
Speaking with Government Technology on Thursday, Oct. 6, Panora said that CDCR’s correctional security technology transfer committee will likely take a look at interim technologies as long as they don’t interfere with the ongoing MAS invitation for bid (IFB).
“That’s probably something our department will probably be taking a much closer look at to see where there are some possibilities that might exist,” Panora said. “Stuff like dogs and airport securities and those types of things wouldn’t have any impact to our current IFB process. That’s all part of the overall integrated cell phone interdiction strategy.”
It is now considered a misdemeanor for smuggling a cell phone into a California prison and is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine up to $5,000 per device. Inmates found in possession of a mobile device will be subject to loss of good-time credits. Good- time credits are compiled to shorten the time a prisoner actually has to serve on a sentence.
According to a statement released by Padilla’s office, the number of cell phones confiscated in California prisons has grown tremendously in the last five years. The senator’s office reported that in 2006, prison officials confiscated 261 cell phones in California prisons, a number that rose to 10,761 in 2010.
“Cell phones in the hands of inmates are a clear and present threat to the safety of correctional officers, victims and the public,” added Padilla in a press release.
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http://www.govtech.com/policy-management/California-Approves-Law-Blocking-Cell-Phone-Transmissions-in-Prisons.html
padilla is another slimmy politician trying to make a record of so-called tough laws...but he doesn't have a clue about this issue...how does an inmate get a phone? visitors can't bring them they go through a metal detector, the guards are selling them for 800 to 1,000 bucks...one guard has been arrested after making 15,000 in a 6 month period from selling phones and drugs...slime on paddilla
This law also prevents inmates from using anything but the overpriced phones in prisons to call their loved ones. The CDCR makes money off of these phones; they don't on cell phones. It's ALWAYS about the money.
Your accusations are a mute point and shows that you have a negative attitude. The law is an equal opportunity law that applies to guards as much as it applies to visitors.
Sounds like your upset that you won't be able to talk to your homeboy any more.
If you block transmissions by using a transmitter, is the FCC on board?
I completely agree with you David..I think this is just an attempt to make it look like they are doing their jobs..the gaurds bring them in and sell them and their blaming us visitors..BLAME YOUR CROOKED COPS! !!
The California Courts ham-strung CDCRs ability to properly screen guards, staff, and visitors, which allows the free flow of cell phones, weapons, and drugs into the prisons. Improve the abilty to screen and search EVERYONE who enters, and you stop the flow. Instead, California taxpayers will have to foot the bill for $MILLIONS$ of dollars in exerimental technology.
they plan to take away the inmates good time but what happen to idiot guards who are the ones bring in the phone and selling a 40$ phone for $800 to $1000 bucks. How justified is this. The guy cannot say that each cell phone in the prison a murder took place out on the streets. Think this will work??? No its stupid politic! Any thing to look good. Imprison the guards for their selish greed!
im with you hugo.
Its quite obvious that you all are making extremly biased statements. They were sent to prison for a reason, and they shouldnt be given the freedom of cell phones. And whether its the inmates or the officers, regardless its breaking the rules. Very obvious that you the commentors have either served time in jail/prison or have a loved one currently incarcerated.
I've been incarcerated, loved ones have been incarcerated, n my boyfriend is currently incarcerated. But my opinion has nothina do with that. Some cops/guards are dirty, while we do have decent law enforcement officers. Some inmates deserve to have contact with the outside world, while others deserve to be on solitaire confinement for their prison/jail term. But this whole thing is stupid. They're wanting to spend all this money to keep the inmates under their control. Granted, some of them need to be controlled. But there's easier n more rational ways of doing so. N just cuz a person lands themselves in jail or prison doesn't mean they're horrible people n it doesn't always mean they belong there. Sometimes it truly is a wake up for people n sometimes they like that life. But either way, none of you have the right to judge a person by their mistakes n decisions. That's pure ignorance n maybe YOU are the one that needsta be controlled. The government is all kinds of messed up. But evidently so is the rest of the population. Good job America.
yes it is well known these crooked cops r taking in phones n drugs but yet they try to blame family members or lookn at family memberscrazy... they should make the cops go through metal detector n take remove all metal