President Obama signs into law ban on cell phones For all

[nmbluesky]

inmate; ;)

Washington (CNN) -- Hoping to stop federal inmates from directing crimes from behind bars, President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday a prohibition on cell phone use by prisoners.
The law prohibits the use or possession of mobile phones and wireless devices, and calls for up to a year in prison for anyone found guilty of trying to smuggle one to an inmate.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confiscated more than 2,600 cell phones from minimum security facilities and nearly 600 from secure federal institutions last year.
"Now that this bill has become law, prison gangs will no longer be able to use cell phones to direct criminal attacks on individuals, to decide territory for the distribution of drugs, or conduct credit card fraud," said Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-California, a co-sponsor of the bill.
"Making it illegal for criminals to use cell phones and wireless devices in federal prison cuts their communication link and helps keep our communities safe," said her Republican counterpart, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
Cell phones are prized among inmates, officials said. A government report said California prison inmates pay $500 to $1,000 per cell phone.
The new law calls for a government study to be issued in a year to measure the effectiveness of the new prohibition.

[Skip Intro]

1. No link, but if true, I've got no problem with it.

It is prison, not day care.

[nmbluesky]

3. oops LINK here

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/10/obama.prison.phone.ban/index.html?hpt=T2

[RufusTFirefly]

2. Good one! That'll teach them not to talk to Lynn Stewart!

:sarcasm:

Pandering to the Law and Order set, I see.

Highest rate of incarceration in the world. But I'm sure they're all dangerous, hardened criminals, just like all those terrorists, cleverly posing as joyous wedding party members that we kill in Afghanistan.

U-S-A! U-S-A!

[Monique1]

5. This thread was deceiving

Inmates should not have a cell phone. Inmates are there to give up there freedom. By the way, cell phones are not taken away from everyone so stop deceiving people and pushing the repuke fear button.

[RufusTFirefly]

12. That's me. Closet "repuke." Thanks for outing me. I feel cleansed. n/t

:sarcasm:

(For those too dim to realize on their own.)

[spoony]

16. The "fear button" is using prisoners as a pawn to scare voters. nt

[Canuckistanian]

4. AT&T and Verizon aren't gonna like this

But I'm sure they'll just raise the rates on everyone else to compensate.

[Monique1]

6. I don't caare what Verizon thinks

that is why I am with the best cell phone service Credo!

[one_voice]

8. How's their service?

I keep getting info from them, but don't know anyone who uses them as their provider.

[RufusTFirefly]

13. I use CREDO. Have for 20 years.

They used to be Working Assets. All telecoms are vultures. But at least mine siphons off some of the wealth and gives it to good causes.

[one_voice]

14. One of the things that kept me from tossing..

the info was the fact they gave to good causes. I'm going to look into them a little more.

Thanks.

[RufusTFirefly]

17. Yes. And each year you get to vote on how that money is allocated

You and other CREDO users choose where that money goes.

[Canuckistanian]

11. There are some good options out there

I encourage everyone to shop around.

[NBachers]

7. The biggest prison phone gang is the one the inmates have to pay to make their phone calls

The rates charged inmates for their phone calls is a crime in itself. It's extortion.

Prisoners need to be able to talk with their families and loved ones.

The families of prisoners need communication with those inside.

It ain't all about ordering gang hits and drug deals. Prison phone service shouldn't be so expensive.

[mrcheerful]

15. It's expensive because every time a prisoner uses a phone someone has to listen in and record the

conversations as well as interpret any slang prisoners invent as well as looking for hidden codes within the conversation. You wouldn't believe just how crafty a person can be until they are locked up. I have heard prisoners using the phones inside the prisons to make death threats, drug deals, intimidation of wittinesses and all kinds of crazy stuff knowing the calls are monitored. What with the changes in the law's made since tough on crime came into effect prisoners and their families are paying more for prisoner services.

[rug]

9. Then why do they call them cell phones?

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18. DUZY! nt

[WinkyDink]

10. Don't prisoners work on medical forms, etc., on computers? Including credit card info?