Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi, alongside Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, has introduced a new legislative measure aimed at addressing the illicit use of cellphones by inmates in federal and state prisons. Named the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 (S.1137), this proposal would enable the use of cellphone jamming technology to prevent inmates from using contraband phones within prison facilities.

Senator Hyde-Smith expressed confidence in the capability of jamming technologies to mitigate the issue of cellphones serving as weapons in the hands of inmates. She stated, “Our corrections systems need this legislation to have clear authorization to jam contraband cellphones in state and federal prisons.”

Senator Cotton emphasized the security threat posed by contraband cellphones in prisons, describing them as a tool for inmates to coordinate criminal activities from within incarceration. “This legislation is a common-sense step,” he remarked, emphasizing the bill's potential to cut off illegal operations carried out by prisoners.

The proposed legislation, S.1137, is part of broader efforts to curb illegal activities orchestrated by inmates using cellphones. These activities include orchestrating hits, managing drug operations, conducting illegal business deals, facilitating sex trafficking, and planning escapes. Such activities pose a risk not only to prison staff and inmates but also to the general public.

In addition to Hyde-Smith, the bill is backed by several other senators. Among the original cosponsors are James Risch, Lindsey Graham, Mike Crapo, James Lankford, Bill Cassidy, Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Hagerty, and Pete Ricketts.

Previously, Senator Hyde-Smith introduced the END CELLS Act, which sought to criminalize the provision of wireless communication devices to prisoners and make it illegal for inmates to possess such devices while detained.