Pai Commits to FCC-Facilitated Meeting on Combatting Contraband Mobile Devices in Prisons

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and 51 other House and Senate members the agency is “actively” communicating “with state and local law enforcement and corrections officials,” and others about finding “effective, efficient solutions to address the problem of contraband wireless devices in prisons.” The lawmakers wrote to Pai in early October expressing concerns about “exploitation” of contraband mobile devices in prisons. The lawmakers said some in Congress want to “impose a solution” to the problem and said that should happen as a “last resort.” The lawmakers sought an FCC-led meeting with corrections officials, the FBI and major wireless carriers aimed at finding solutions to the contraband problem. Pai committed to have his agency “try to facilitate” the requested meeting and report back to Congress on its results. He noted FCC ongoing “concrete steps to facilitate more expeditious deployment of interdiction systems,” including engagement with law enforcement and corrections officials, “officials from the federal Bureau of Prisons, representatives from the Justice Department, and representatives from industry to hear their concerns, learn from their experiences, and facilitate discussions.” Pai has been seen as unlikely to press for rules that would allow corrections facilities to deploy cell jammers to combat contraband cellphones, despite an apparent September DOJ OK (see 1709050072).