In a significant development regarding prison safety, former corrections officer Robert Johnson is championing a proposal to allow cellphone jamming technology in state prisons. This push comes after Johnson endured a harrowing experience when he was shot six times in a targeted attack orchestrated by an inmate using a contraband cellphone.
On March 5, 2010, Johnson was preparing for work at the Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina when a hitman broke into his home and shot him multiple times. Despite the severe injuries that required over 30 surgeries, Johnson survived and has since dedicated his life to advocating for solutions to combat the rampant smuggling of contraband cellphones in prisons.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently voted to consider lifting restrictions on cell jamming technology, which could potentially prevent inmates from utilizing smuggled phones to orchestrate criminal activities from behind bars. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr acknowledged that while jamming may not be the perfect solution for every facility, it could significantly enhance safety in many prisons.
Johnson’s campaign for change has faced considerable opposition from the wireless industry, which argues that jamming technology could interfere with emergency communications and potentially impact signals outside prison walls. However, Johnson and supporters, including former South Carolina state prisons director Bryan Stirling, believe that cellphone jammers would effectively eliminate unauthorized communication within prison facilities, likening jammers to a locked door that prevents access.
The debate over cellphone jamming in prisons is part of a broader conversation about how to address the rise of contraband cellphones and the associated dangers they pose, including facilitating drug trafficking and violent crimes among inmates. Johnson’s personal story has resonated with many, and he expressed cautious optimism that the FCC will ultimately approve the use of jammers, stating, “If this is what it took to get this law changed, then it was worth it.”
Image: Rich Schapiro
As the FCC moves toward a public comment session on the proposal, the outcome could reshape how correctional facilities manage communication and enhance safety protocols for both staff and inmates.
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