In response to the challenge of prisoners using mobile phones illegally, the Saudi Arabian General Prison Administration has decided to install mobile phone signal jammers in prison facilities. Although the prison administration has tried many means to prevent prisoners from using mobile phones, none of them have achieved the desired effect, so the installation of cell signal jammers has become the final solution.
Phone jammers are an important means to ensure prison safety
Major General Ibrahim Hamsi, director of the Saudi General Prison Administration, said that although most prisoners abide by prison regulations and do not use mobile phones, some prisoners still try to use mobile phones to contact the outside world. Hamsi stressed that in order to completely eliminate this phenomenon, the installation of prison phone jammers will be an indispensable measure. The implementation of mobile phone signal blockers is not only to maintain order in prisons, but also for security reasons to prevent possible information leaks and potential crimes.
Hamsi pointed out that "although most prisoners in prisons do not use mobile phones illegally, installing mobile phone signal jammers can ensure that there are no exceptions. The prison signal jammers will block all mobile phone signals and eliminate the possibility of communicating with the outside world through mobile phones." This shows that the Saudi authorities attach great importance to information control in prisons and hope to further improve the security level through advanced technical means.
German and American equipment companies participate in testing
- To ensure the effectiveness and safety of the equipment, Lieutenant Colonel Nasir Amer, General Manager of Information Technology and Communications of the Saudi General Prison Administration, revealed that the bureau is currently working with two international companies, one from Germany and the other from the United States, to install and test reception blocking equipment for some prisons.
- Lieutenant Colonel Amer pointed out that the previously introduced equipment failed to meet the standards due to technical problems. The main reason is that the signal transmission needs to rely on communication towers. This design not only affects the signals in the prison, but also affects the residents around the prison, causing their signals to be interfered.
- The new generation of signal jammer equipment is not only more sophisticated in technology, but also ensures precise control of the interference range. Lieutenant Colonel Amer added that the design of the new equipment will only affect the signals in the prison and will not affect the normal communication needs of the surrounding residents. “These latest devices are designed for prison environments and are precise enough to ensure that interference is limited to the prison and does not negatively affect the health of prisoners or operators.”
Health and safety assurance: ensuring that the equipment meets international standards
- The Saudi Prison Service takes the safety of the equipment very seriously. Lt. Col. Amer stressed: “The service will never install any equipment that is not internationally approved. It will only be put into use after multiple international organizations have certified its safety.” This statement shows the Saudi authorities’ cautious attitude in ensuring the health and safety of prisoners and prison staff.
- In order to ensure that each device is suitable for the specific environment of different prisons, the Saudi Prison Service has taken years of research and equipment screening. Lt. Col. Amer pointed out that due to the different geographical locations and environments of each prison, a single device cannot meet the needs of all prisons. This process of selecting equipment based on local conditions shows the professionalism and rigor of the Prison Service in selecting technical solutions.
Local research and development at King Abdulaziz City
In addition to working with international companies, domestic scientific research institutions in Saudi Arabia are also actively developing phone signal blockers that can be used in multiple scenarios. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology is currently working on a device that can block mobile phone signals in specific environments, such as prisons and mosques where mobile phones are not allowed. The goal of the device is to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment while meeting security needs. Through this research and development, Saudi Arabia hopes to further improve its technical level in the field of electronic jamming equipment and gradually reduce its dependence on imported equipment.
The move by the Saudi General Prison Administration to install mobile phone signal jammers is a major upgrade of the country's prison management policy, reflecting Saudi Arabia's determination to maintain prison security and order. By introducing international advanced technology and local scientific research innovation, Saudi Arabia strives to prevent prisoners from using mobile phones illegally while minimizing the impact of jamming equipment on the prison environment and surrounding residents. This decision not only solves practical problems in prison management, but also provides valuable experience for future prison security.
