Lewes MP wins support for Bill to halt use of mobiles in jails
New legislation which would authorise a nationwide block on the use of mobile phones in prisons is a step closer to becoming law.
On Friday, a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Lewes MP Maria Caulfield passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons. It will now go forward to committee stage.
The Prison (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Bill would give the Secretary of State for Justice the power to authorise mobile phone operators to block all mobile phone and data signals in prisons.
The use of mobile phones by criminals in prison is considered a serious problem and prison officers have found it difficult to prevent phones being smuggled into jails.
Some prisoners use mobiles to organise crimes on the outside as well as to intimidate witnesses, harass guards and to smuggle goods inside.
Earlier this year 10 people, including two prison officers and five inmates appeared at Hove Crown Court and were sentenced for a conspiracy to smuggle illicit goods including phones and drugs into Lewes prison.
Current rules give power to prison governors to authorise individual mobile networks to block existing technologies on their sites.
This approach has been consistently taken advantage of by inmates who want to flout the rules.
As soon as new networks – such as the upcoming 5G network – become available they cannot be blocked without further authorisation and delays.
New powers under the Bill put forward by Ms Caufield would enable the Justice Secretary to instruct all mobile networks to block all current and future signals for unauthorised mobiles throughout all prisons in England and Wales.
Speaking after the Bill passed, Maria Caulfield said: “I am pleased that my Parliamentary colleagues have supported my Bill at its Second Reading, meaning that we are a step closer to passing this into law and having safer prisons and safer communities.
“I will now be taking the Bill to committee stage where myself and other MPs will work through it line by line to ensure it is as good as can be.”
By Clare Calder
