South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson praised an upcoming Federal Communications Commission vote scheduled for next month regarding final rules that would permit state and local correctional facilities to deploy cellphone jamming technology against contraband devices.
Regulatory Momentum Shifts for Correctional Security
- The Federal Communications Commission will hold a vote next month on final rules enabling state and local correctional facilities to utilize contraband cellphone jamming technology.
- Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a 22-state coalition in September 2025 to support the proposed rule disrupting cellular transmissions behind bars.
- The framework permits rather than mandates the deployment of jamming equipment across state and local detention centers.
According to statements released by the South Carolina Attorney General’s office, unauthorized mobile devices inside secure facilities have been actively utilized to coordinate violent crimes, order hits, and intimidate witnesses.
The regulatory path toward this vote has developed over time. In March 2025, General Wilson participated in a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general urging federal congressional action to address the security risks posed by contraband cellular hardware. Following that legislative push, the coalition joined a letter in September 2025 supporting this proposed rule.
| Action Date | Participant / Coalition | Regulatory Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Bipartisan Attorneys General Coalition | Urged congressional action on prison contraband |
| September 2025 | 22-State Coalition | Supported FCC rule supporting cellular jamming |
| Next Month | Federal Communications Commission | Scheduled vote on final correctional jamming rules |
“This is something I’ve fought for for years because criminals behind bars are using contraband cell phones to order hits, intimidate witnesses, and continue committing other crimes,” Attorney General Wilson stated regarding the upcoming regulatory action. He also commended Chairman Carr’s leadership on the initiative.
The proposed framework stops short of imposing a federal mandate. Instead, the upcoming rules would authorize, but not require, state and local correctional institutions to implement signal-jamming infrastructure.
“This is not a partisan issue—it’s a public safety issue,” Attorney General Wilson added. “I’m thankful that the FCC is taking the necessary step to ensure criminals can no longer exploit our prisons to continue harming the public.”
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