Impact Georgia Impact Georgia Special Edition | Page 4

(Continued from page 3) vices are radio frequency transmitters that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with communications, such as cell phone calls,
text messages, GPS systems, and Wi-Fi networks.
Increasingly, online retailers tout small, inexpensive
jammers as the solution for noisy classrooms, theaters, restaurants, or business meetings. However,
jammers are indiscriminate – they can block critical public safety and other emergency communications along with the targeted transmissions.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, current laws make jammers illegal to market, sell, or use in the United States. A single violation of the jamming prohibition can result in tens
of thousands of dollars in monetary penalties, seizure of the illegal device, and imprisonment. As a

The public can report cell phone
or social media usage on the GDC
public website or by contacting
our call center at [phone].
These tips are instrumental in combatting the problem of inmate cell
phone use
law enforcement agency, GDC is bound to operate within the guidelines of federal, state and local
laws, thus excluding jammers as an option.
With the extensive efforts to prevent cell phone
usage by inmates, the Department confiscates
thousands of devices in facilities each year. In fiscal year 2015, a total of 7,644 phones were confiscated, but rooting out the cell phone problem in
GDC’s facilities takes more than just the officers
and staff. Like any law enforcement agency, the
department could not do its job without the support
of the citizens of Georgia and there are ways the
public can help. Inmates with cell phones will often
post to social media using aliases, but according to
Myrick, the background of photos, along with the
clothing offenders are in can help identify them.
The public can report cell phone or social
media usage on the GDC public website at
http://bit.ly/1KkGORi, or by contacting our call
center at [phone]. These tips are instrumental in combatting the (Continued on Page 6)

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