[JOAT]

This seems thoroughly unnecessary.

So what's the hidden reason for pushing this? (There's always another layer people.)

[JOAT]

Much to their chagrin, state and local officials cannot do anything to interfere with federal airwaves because of the 1934 Federal Communications Act. Federal agencies can do so only during "life and safety situations" after the FCC has given its permission.

I offer this as the real reason. Are smuggled cell phones into a prison REALLY that big an issue?

Ah, but the ability of government officials to INTERFERE with the airwaves is blocked by a pesky 1934 law.

Now I'm guessing that this new law would quickly be used to jam cell phone transmissions during 'emergencies' more often than at the state prison, but that's just a guess...

When people are herded into camps after an 'emergency' like the next Katrina, we can't have them calling out can we?