Mobile phones in prison

In most prisons, inmates are forbidden from possessing mobile phones due to their ability to communicate with the outside world and other security issues. Mobile phones are one of the most smuggled items into prisons. They provide inmates the ability to make and receive unauthorized phone calls, send email and text messages, use social media, and follow news pertaining to their case, among other forbidden uses.

Security concerns are often cited for why cell-phones are forbidden in prisons.

Cellphones in prisons have been used to organize work stoppages for prison labor between prisons. Forced Penal labor in the United States is a common practice.

Cell phones in prison are used by prisoners to communicate with family and loved ones. Prisoners can be isolated and prison phone calls can be expensive. The rates are controversial. and the prisons get profits from the phone calls. Prisons have a profit motive to ban cell phones.

Most mobile phones are smuggled in by prison staff, who often do not have to go through security as rigorously as visitors. Security of staff is often less intense because this would be time-consuming on the part of the staff, union prison employees are paid for this time, and it would increase the overall cost of operations. More rarely, they are smuggled in by visitors, who must undergo tougher security checks, by inmates who are permitted to leave, or by outsiders who establish contact with inmates alongside the prison fence.

Once inside prison walls, the devices end up in the hands of inmates who purchase them with cash, which is also contraband in most prisons. Black market prices vary by prison, and can be up to $1000 USD.

While some prisoners use their mobile devices simply for harmless communication or web browsing, others use them for illegal activity. These may include gang control, taunting witnesses, planning escapes, or arrangement of other serious crimes. Prisoners may also use smart phones to gather intelligence on prison staff and to coordinate clandestine activity within the facility.

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Wikipedia