Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) has expressed support for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr’s recent announcement backing cell phone jamming technology in prisons. The move follows the introduction of the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act by Kustoff and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), which seeks to update federal law to allow correctional institutions to block illegal cellphone use by inmates.
“Criminals are using contraband cellphones to commit crimes while in prison. The extent of coordinated criminal activity carried out by inmates is a serious threat to public safety,” said Congressman Kustoff. “As a former United States Attorney, I have seen firsthand how criminals use contraband cellphones to harm others and continue running crime rings. That is why I introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act in the House. Chair Carr’s leadership at the FCC reinforces our effort and makes clear that now is the time to act. Together, Congress and the FCC can ensure that inmates can no longer traffic drugs, run gangs, or order murders from behind prison walls.”
Currently, federal law prohibits prisons from using cellphone jamming systems under the Federal Communications Act. However, reports indicate that contraband cellphone use has increased across the country, with inmates allegedly using these devices for drug operations, illicit business deals, sex trafficking, and organizing escapes.
Recent incidents highlight the issue’s severity. In Atlanta last year, two 13-year-old boys were killed after inmates in a Georgia prison ordered an attack using contraband phones. Authorities in Georgia confiscated more than 15,500 illegal phones in 2024 and over 8,000 in 2023. In December 2024, two California inmates were convicted for operating a heroin and meth trafficking ring from their cells. In Tennessee, an inmate used a contraband phone to arrange drug shipments.
The proposed legislation would permit narrowly targeted jamming equipment within prison facilities to prevent illegal communications without affecting lawful cellphone service nearby. Chairman Carr’s announcement regarding FCC rulemaking aligns with this bill by establishing safeguards and clear standards for implementing such technology.
David Kustoff has represented Tennessee’s 8th district in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Stephen Fincher (https://kustoff.house.gov/about). Born in Memphis in 1966, Kustoff currently resides in Germantown (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/K000392). He graduated from the University of Memphis with a BA in 1989 and earned his JD there in 1992 (https://www.congress.gov/member/david-kustoff/K000392).
