Despite the presence of cellphone jammers within the nation's correctional facilities, incarcerated criminals continue to find ways to communicate with individuals outside the prison walls.
This is the view of senior prison officials who tell the Sunday Express that even though the signal blockers (which they say are operational) are used to block signals from cellphones within the prisons, other interception technologies are needed for the system to be effective.
Cellular signal blockers are currently employed, although their effectiveness is enhanced when combined with other technologies such as Wi-Fi jammers. This phenomenon has been observed in various jurisdictions, yet its full potential remains untapped in our own.
Prisoners will possess cellphones and tablets, yet they will be unable to make direct calls. However, they can utilize the device's data or, if they have access to a hot-spot device or a Wi-Fi box, they can make calls through social media applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Consequently, the matter of communicating with the outside world remains unresolved. Communication continues to persist.
“In other jurisdictions, you will see the cellphone jammers being used with other interception devices to determine the frequencies used by these devices, and then target those specific frequencies. If this is not done, then it’s almost like spinning top in mud,” a senior source in the Prison Service explained yesterday.
Additionally, the Sunday Express has informed us that the jammers, which are utilized and controlled within the premises of the Prison Service, are actually overseen by a third party.
Acting Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar refrained from providing a direct response to the inquiries posed to him regarding the effectiveness of the cellphone jammers. He stated that such information is privileged and falls outside the scope of the Prison Service's responsibilities.
The Sunday Express was informed by other senior officials that they continue to be operational.
At the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca, authorities discovered and confiscated a number of prohibited items, including a Wi-Fi box.
The officers were given information that guided them to the cells situated in the B Division of the prison.
During the investigation, thorough searches were carried out, leading the police to discover and confiscate a bag in a specific cell adjacent to the toilet area. This bag contained 53 grammes of marijuana, along with cellphones and the Wi-Fi box.
In an alternate compartment, law enforcement discovered and confiscated a pouch containing 104 packs of cigarettes and marijuana, with a combined weight of 241 grams.
The items seized were claimed by two prisoners.
Prison officers raised apprehensions on Friday regarding the utilization of drones above correctional facilities. A senior officer emphasized that this matter is a pressing concern that must be promptly dealt with.
The presence of a single undetected drone, capable of delivering knives or firearms, could lead to an extremely grave scenario. Up until now, the items we have confiscated have been illicit goods such as cigarettes, marijuana, mobile phones, and chargers. However, the failure to intercept even one drone could pose a significant threat to both the prison and the nation.
Ramoutar highlighted that the Prison Service has acknowledged a surge in the usage of drones near penitentiaries, particularly in the past year, prompting them to take appropriate measures.
Using the assistance of different branches within the National Security portfolio, he stated that the majority of the objects that were thrown over prison walls were confiscated before they could be obtained by the inmates.