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| Senators file cell phone legislation |
| By The Dalls Morning News |
| Published: 01/15/2009 |
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TEXAS - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rep. Kevin Brady have filed legislation to prevent prison inmates from using smuggled cell phones -- following an incident this fall when a Texas death row inmate used one to make threatening calls to a state lawmaker. The Safe Prisons Communications Act would allow a state governor to seek permission from the FCC to operate cell phone jamming technology, which would make the smuggled phones useless. The devices are currently illegal under federal law, in order to ensure 911 and other emergency calls can get through. "This legislation will fight criminal enterprises behind bars and protect innocent victims and public officials from harassment and threats from criminals," Sen. Hutchison said in a statement. "Recent cases of prisoners smuggling cell phones behind bars highlight the need to use current technology to prevent this ability." Texas death row inmate Richard Tabler used a smuggled cell phone to make threatening calls to Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston. Tabler's phone was found in the ceiling above a shower, and officers found 11 additional phones belonging to other death row inmates while looking for it. |
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