Attorney General Alan Wilson continues the fight to allow cell phone jamming in state prisons. Joins 22 other attorneys general in letter to the Federal Communications Commission

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a coalition of 22 other state attorneys general in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting a notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow state prisons to use cell phone jamming technologies to disrupt cellular transmissions coming from contraband cellphones.

“This is something I and three Corrections Directors have been fighting to get passed for years,” said Attorney General Wilson. “Even though prisoners are not allowed to have cell phones, they get smuggled in. These criminals continue to deal drugs and even order hits from behind prison walls. Federal prisons are allowed to jam cell phone signals within their walls, and it causes no problems outside, so state prisons should be allowed to do it too.”  

The current FCC interpretation of federal rules prohibits the use of jamming equipment, even in highly controlled environments like correctional institutions. This blanket restriction fails to account for the unique security needs of these facilities. Inmates routinely use smuggled phones to coordinate criminal enterprises, intimidate witnesses, and orchestrate violence both inside and outside prison walls. These activities compromise the safety of correctional staff, other inmates, and the public.

The proposed rulemaking would empower correctional administrators to implement jamming systems that disrupt unauthorized wireless communications within prisons, without affecting legitimate service outside the facility. This targeted approach balances the need for security with the preservation of lawful communications. The South Carolina Department of Corrections has done demonstrations that show the technology blocks cell phone signals inside prison walls without affecting cell service outside the buildings.

In addition to Attorney General Wilson, the attorneys general of the following states also signed on to the letter sent by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin: Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

To read the letter, click here.