OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford and Senator Tom Cotton have introduced the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025. This legislation aims to prevent the use of contraband cellphones in prisons by enabling state and federal facilities to utilize cellphone jamming technology. Congressman David Kustoff is championing a similar bill in the House of Representatives.

Several Senators, including Bill Cassidy, Shelley Moore Capito, Mike Crapo, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Jim Risch, have co-sponsored the legislation. "Cell phones are being slipped into jails and prisons, but federal policy prevents local law enforcement from jamming the cell signal. That needs to stop," Lankford stated. He emphasized the importance of providing prison officials with the means to jam illegal cellphones to prevent inmates from coordinating criminal activity and contacting victims.

Senator Cotton highlighted the security risk posed by contraband cellphones, saying, "For far too long, contraband cellphones have been a major security threat in our prisons, allowing criminals to coordinate crimes from behind bars."

Congressman Kustoff pointed out that the use of contraband cellphones by inmates represents a significant threat, detailing the potential for inmates to conduct gang activities, drug trafficking, and other criminal behavior. "The extent of coordinated criminal activity carried out by inmates is a serious threat to public safety," Kustoff remarked.

The legislation seeks to bolster public safety and ensure that law enforcement has the necessary tools to curb illegal activities facilitated through the unauthorized use of cellphones within prison walls.