FY20 Combatting Cellphone Use in Prisons

The purpose of the FY 2020 Safeguarding Correctional Facilities and Public Safety by Addressing Contraband Cellphones Program is to assist state and local governments, including federally recognized Indian tribes that serve a law enforcement function, protect against contraband cellphone use in correctional facilities. The site-based awards provide funding to operationalize effective and secure managed access systems in correctional settings to prevent, detect, seize, and stop the presence and use of contraband cellphones by detainees and inmates.

The recipient will be expected to test, implement, and document changes to policy, practice, and tactics as they relate to preventing, detecting, seizing, and stopping the presence and use of contraband cellphones by detainees and inmates.
The funding will support the development and implementation of managed-access systems, including strategies, training of correctional staff, developing operational orders, and establishing policies to seize and end the use of cellphone contraband. Applicants are encouraged to focus on: 1) Identifying micro-jamming systems that halt inmates’ calls without disrupting services in the surrounding area, including those used by first responders; 2) Ensuring state, local, and tribal governments are in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission and other laws governing the interception of electronic communications, including the rules that criminalize actions aimed at disabling aircraft, and 3) Providing technological solutions to detect and disrupt drones.

The objectives of this award are to test, implement, and measure managed access systems, as well as share strategies to reduce the presence and use of contraband cellphones in correctional facilities.

The award recipient will use award funds to support the purchase and implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Detection System (UAV) at Baldwin State Prison. GDC plans to procure a UAV detection system that can detect and locate UAVs and their pilots (controllers) to disrupt and ultimately prevent cellphone contraband delivery for the safety of staff, inmates, and the general public.

CA/NCF