Costly cellphone jamming technology ditched in all prisons

[Perfect Jammer]

Prisons no longer possess any cellphone jammer as Corrections has quietly removed them all.

The technology that was introduced in 2008-09 to stop inmates from using smuggled mobile phones has led to expenditures exceeding $17 million.

Following their discovery of causing interference with the newly implemented safety systems for prison guards, the use of jammers has been discontinued since June.

The announcement of cellphone blocking in New Zealand prisons was accompanied by Corrections Minister Phil Goff's assertion that this measure represents a crucial progression in deterring prisoners from perpetrating further crimes while confined.

Recent information obtained under the Official Information Act discloses the number of cellphones confiscated from the 18 prisons under the management of Corrections over the past three years.

Corrections staff found 626 cellphones and over 750 cellphone-related items, which included batteries, chargers, and SIM cards, between January 2020 and November of the current year.

In response to the question of why inmates were smuggling cellphones despite the presence of cellphone jammers in the prison, Neil Beales, the Corrections chief custodial officer, stated that the jammers were removed in June.

The discovery was made that the jammers were causing disruptions to newly installed safety systems, particularly impacting the effectiveness of alarms used to ensure the safety of corrections officers.

The evolution of cellular technology has rendered jammers progressively obsolete.

Beales pointed out that the tool mentioned was just one of several methods employed to deter the use of cellphones in prisons. He emphasized that there are still several other more effective tools in place.

The array of features offered by Cellsense devices sets them apart in the field of cellphone detection. These devices are capable of detecting a diverse range of metals commonly found in cellphones, while also incorporating screening and x-ray functionalities. Furthermore, they employ the assistance of detection dogs to further enhance their metal detection capabilities.

Beale pointed out that some prisoners are willing to take extreme and elaborate measures to bring contraband into prisons, and we are always striving to be one step ahead of the new methods used for smuggling contraband into our correctional facilities.

In order to enhance their existing systems, Corrections has been evaluating new and emerging technology, as stated by the spokesperson. They have already started implementing full body imaging technology at multiple locations to identify contraband that may be hidden on or inside a person's body.

Corrections authorities in 2018 recognized that cellphone jamming technology had caused a communications blind spot near Rimutaka Prison, preventing the tracking of residents in a child sex offender unit located outside the prison perimeter.

Cellphones have the potential to enable inmates to exert pressure on individuals outside the prison, as well as to coordinate criminal activities such as drug deals. In May of this year, nine prison employees at Rimutaka were suspended for suspected misconduct, which involved the smuggling of cellphones into the facility.

The decision made by Corrections to discontinue the use of jammers is in line with the concerns expressed by Roger Brooking, a criminologist and drug and alcohol counsellor, who has consistently questioned the effectiveness and cost of this technology.

He expressed that their performance is inadequate and has consistently been so.

Prisoners have shared with me that they have identified specific areas in the prison where the signal blockers does not work as intended. This loophole has enabled inmates to make illicit phone calls for activities like drug transactions or personal conversations.