Senate launches prison security study, focusing on banned cell phones
The Georgia Senate recently passed a resolution establishing the "Study Committee to Support the Safety and Welfare of All Persons in Department of Corrections Facilities" to conduct an in-depth study of safety issues in the state prison system.
The resolution, introduced by Sen. Randy Robertson, plans a comprehensive review of the correctional system, including how facilities are managed and operated. Although the resolution stated that the core of the research would be to explore a variety of issues in prisons, the focus remained on the use of prohibited cell phones.
In recent years, violent incidents have occurred frequently inside and outside prisons. Especially since 2020, the massive loss of prison staff has led to a significant increase in homicides and suicides in prisons. While the Senate study committee will explore a variety of issues, banned cell phones remain a topic of greatest concern.
Cell phone signal jammer devices and the reasons behind the prison crisis
In order to deal with the problems caused by banned mobile phones, the Georgia government allocated US$9.8 million in February this year to purchase mobile phone signal jammer devices. Cell phone signal jammers can effectively reduce cell phone use in prisons.
However, many critics believe blaming banned cellphones for the prison crisis is a way to avoid the real problem. In fact, the prison system's main problems are staff shortages and poor management. The Georgia Department of Corrections currently incarcerates more than 50,000 inmates but has fewer than 6,000 staff to supervise them. Although the government has tried to attract and retain prison staff by raising wages, the results have been less than satisfactory.
Many believe the real solution is to reduce the number of inmates in prisons, especially those who are eligible for parole but are still locked up. This initiative will not only reduce the pressure on the prison system, but also effectively improve the security and management conditions within the prison. By releasing some prisoners, the government can significantly reduce violence in prisons without having to spend huge sums of money.
