The Senate Public Safety Committee approved legislation that would set penalties for both inmates and anyone who smuggles a cell phone to an inmate
The Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday approved legislation authored by Senator Padilla that would set penalties for both inmates and anyone who smuggles a cell phone to an inmate.
SB 26 would crack down on the illegal proliferation of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in
California prisons. Current law does not provide any criminal or financial sanctions for smuggling cell phones
to inmates or for an inmate possessing a cell phone. The number of cell phones confiscated in our prisons has
grown exponentially.
Last year alone, 10,760 cell phones were confiscated. In just the first two months of this year, 2,112 contraband cell phones have been confiscated.
Cell phones in the hands of inmates are a clear and present threat to the safety of correctional officers, inmates and the public. The use of cell phones in prisons has been linked to murders, threats and intimidation of witnesses and victims, the coordination of gang activity and drug trafficking, planned escapes, and attacks on prison guards. Charles Manson has been caught twice in possession of a cell phone.
Similar legislation was vetoed by former Governor Schwarzenegger, because he did not consider it tough enough.