Offenburg Prison began using mobile phone jammers in August 2009, successfully preventing prisoners from using mobile phones to conduct illegal activities. Jammers emit radio signals that override regular mobile phone systems' signals, creating a "dead spot" where prisoners can't make calls or send text messages. After testing, the jammer effectively prevented prisoners from using smuggled mobile phones, while mobile phone signals outside the prison were not interfered with.
System installation and costs
To avoid interfering with frequencies outside the prison, Offenburg Prison has installed more than 700 small jammers. These devices have a small coverage area and automatically activate when a cell signal is detected. The installation and commissioning costs of the entire system are approximately €1 million. State Attorney-General Ulrich Gore said the trial operation was a complete success and proved the effectiveness and safety of the system.
expansion plan
Based on the success of Offenburg Prison, the state of Baden-Württemberg plans to introduce cell phone signal jammers to more prisons. The Roerach branch of the Waldshut-Tiengen JVA and Stamheim Prison in Stuttgart will be the next locations where the jammers will be installed. Gore pointed out that the application of technology will greatly improve prison security and prevent prisoners from using mobile phones to conduct drug transactions or other criminal activities.
Improve prison security
The partially privatized Offenburg prison became the first in Germany to use jammers to suppress mobile phone communications. The prison has 220 staff and has 440 places in the regular prison system and 60 places in the social treatment unit. According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, nearly 300 mobile phones were confiscated from prisons in Baden-Württemberg last year. Gore emphasized that through the use of jammers, illegal activities in prisons can be effectively prevented and the safety and order of the prisons can be maintained.
future outlook
The state of Baden-Württem333berg plans to promote this technology across the state to further improve prison management and security. The use of cell phone jammers not only prevents prisoners from illegally communicating with the outside world, but also provides an effective example for other states and countries. In the context of constantly evolving technology, how to balance security and privacy will become an important issue in future prison management.
