Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general urging Congress to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons. The coalition is advocating for legislation that would allow states to use cell phone jamming technology within correctional facilities.

Attorney General Wilson has been vocal about this issue, emphasizing the role of contraband phones in facilitating criminal activities from behind bars. "For years, in South Carolina and across the nation, prison cells have become command centers for crime," said Wilson. He stressed the urgency by stating, "This isn’t just a talking point—it’s a full-blown crisis."

The coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders supporting H.R. 2350 and its Senate counterpart S. 1137. These bills aim to permit states to deploy jamming systems inside prisons without affecting emergency communications or public cell service. Currently, federal law bans such systems in state prisons despite their use in federal facilities.

Wilson highlighted the bipartisan nature of this initiative: "This is not a partisan issue—it’s a public safety issue." He urged Congress to act swiftly as delays could lead to further exploitation of prison systems by criminals.

The letter was spearheaded by attorneys general from Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with support from several other states including South Carolina.