Unauthorised Use of Cellphones in Prisons
A Cellular Interference in Prisons Working Party was established in November 2007 to prepare a non-regulated, industry-developed code of practice for the unauthorised use of cell phones in prisons.
This Code will govern the process, terms and conditions under which spectrum management right holders will grant Spectrum Licences to the Department of Corrections for the purposes of controlling mobile phone calls to or from mobile phones located within prisons and prison boundaries.
Objectives of the Code
The high-level objective of the Code is to provide a known and agreed basis upon which the unauthorised use of mobile phones in prisons can be controlled through the use of interference generating transmitters or “jammers”.
This objective will be achieved by:
- defining the terms and conditions under which jamming will be authorised;
- defining the way in which the Department of Corrections will work with any party with spectrum management rights who agree to be bound by the code;and
- providing an agreed baseline upon which jammer investment decisions by the Department of Corrections can be based.
This is a voluntary code and does not apply to any wireless services provided using spectrum outside a spectrum management right.
Public Consultation
The draft Code was issued for public consultation on 3 April 2008 and submisisons closed on 1 May 2008. The working party is currently finalising the Code.
Working Party Members
The working party members are:
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