FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2008

Prison Officials Cancel Demo-

Despite Rep. Madden's Request

AUSTIN– Yesterday, Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials cancelled a cell phone jamming demonstration "based upon legal advice that such a demonstration would be a violation of federal law" in a letter to CellAntenna Corporation.

Despite controversy over the issue of a demonstration, Federal Communications Commission officials allowed the South Carolina test to take place without prosecution. Future demonstrations are planned, including one in Washington, D.C on January 8, 2009.

"It is unfortunate that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has backed out on a demonstration they agreed to over 3 weeks ago," said House Corrections Committee Chairman Jerry Madden, R-Plano. "I am committed to working with other lawmakers and stakeholders to change a federal law outdated by technology, for the sake of public safety. A theory I've heard and believe in is that risk is associated with experimentation and federal officials should permit states room to act and evaluate, without judging prematurely, the value of innovative programs.

If technology exists to render cell phones useless within prison walls, then that would be the best use of tax payer monies. Cell phones are manufactured smaller and smaller with plastic parts that wouldn't set off metal detectors. The purpose of the demonstration was not to blatantly violate federal law but to test the technology and get the nation's attention to urge Congress to make cell phone frequency-jamming, under strict regulations within our correctional facilities, legal."

Key Texas lawmakers, Congressmen, various agency leaders, and officials from neighboring states were expected to attend the demonstration.

CONTACT: Merita Zoga
(512) 463-0796
Merita.Zoga_hc@house.state.tx.us