Locating Cell Phones Inside Prisons

Cellular phones have become the latest epidemic in prison contraband, posing a danger that extends beyond prison walls. Correctional authorities have indicated that cellular phones have become more valuable inside a prison than drugs or other contraband, and are often referred to as the new prison cash because inmates can sell minutes or cellular phone use to other inmates.

The GEO Group, the second largest private prison management company in the USA, says that it is now implementing a new application of patented high-tech equipment for detecting and locating hidden contraband cellular phones (even if the phone is not transmitting or even turned off).

The equipment, the ORION Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD) manufactured by REI in Algood Tennessee, responds to electronic components, allowing the user to detect and locate electronic items (such as hidden cellular phones), even if the electronic item is turned off or not transmitting. This technology offers a working solution for correctional facilities to manage contraband cellular phones.

Previously correctional institutions were limited to physical searches or struggling with other forms of technology that were ineffective or inefficient for detecting and locating hidden cellular phones, or violated FCC regulations by potentially interfering with legitimate cellular phone transmissions.

The GEO Group initially tested an ORION NLJD in Florida and Pennsylvania, successfully locating and detecting cellular phones as well as other types of electronic contraband. Subsequently, the GEO Group organized an exercise with REI in Tennessee in a local correctional facility, training several GEO Group Field Officers to deploy the ORION at several GEO facilities across the United Sates.

"REI has been overwhelmed by the response from correctional facilities, and we are glad to be a part of the solution... We are impressed with the GEO Group's commitment to utilize leading technological solutions to provide world class correctional facilities," stated Tom Jones, General Manager of REI.

Other prison systems using the ORION NLJD have indicated that in addition to finding contraband cellular phones with the ORION, other contraband such as drugs, weapons, etc were also located. The ORION does not actually detect non-electronic contraband (such as drugs), however when a cellular phone is found, other contraband is often hidden with the contraband cellular phone."

Posted to the site on 31st July 2006