Bureau of Prisons Tests Micro-Jamming Technology in Federal Prison to Prevent Contraband Cell Phones

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission, has conducted a test of micro-jamming technology at the Federal Correctional Institution at Cumberland, Md. The test was conducted on Jan. 17, 2018, to determine if micro-jamming could prevent wireless communication by an inmate using a contraband device at the individual cell housing unit level. Prior to this test, the BOP had conducted a limited cellphone jamming demonstration with NTIA in 2010, at the same field site in Cumberland supporting NTIA's congressionally mandated study of cellphone interdiction technologies. As part of the Jan. 17 test, NTIA conducted an independent evaluation of micro-jamming technology to determine its efficacy and interference potential with Radio Frequency communications. BOP and NTIA will review the data and analysis results from both BOP's and NTIA's testing and develop recommendations for strategic planning and possible acquisition.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bureau-prisons-tests-micro-jamming-technology-federal-prison-prevent-contraband-cell-