Support Our Work Mailing list About / Contact
  • Home /
  • News /
  • 2014 /
  • May /
  • UK: Prisoners caught with more than 200 phones after jail bosses launch blitz using new detection technology

UK: Prisoners caught with more than 200 phones after jail bosses launch blitz using new detection technology

15 May 2014

Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

"The Scottish Prison Service targeted around 1000 inmates in two jails and found that one in five had smuggled mobiles into their cells."

See the article: Prisoners caught with more than 200 phones after jail bosses launch blitz using new detection technology (Daily Record, link).

See also: Prison mobile phone signal blocking technology to go live (BBC, link)

None of the stories are very clear on the technology itself but in October 2013 the Scottish Prison Service signed a one-year, £60,000 contract with Tate Security Technology Limited that offers "mobile detection and prevention" services. Tate's website says (take note of the final sentence):

"Mobiles are a convenient means of communication; however, we are all too aware that with in a prison environment these are not permitted within the ground of any establishment. Tate Security Technology has acknowledged this by linking up with a technology independent partner to bring to the UK latest in mobile phone detection systems.

The unit can be placed in a central position within any area and can be installed as a single unit or a multiple installation to cover a wider area. This system picks up on the mobile phone being used or in standby by detecting the network signal this includes the short auto-registration signal sent out by the mobile phone. This once detected by the unit signals either a local indication to the house block officers or by an Ethernet I/O collector for remote alarm indication with-in the control room. Each unit can then pinpoint to a particular area the mobile phone has been utilised.

The unit can also be placed within the vehicle lock, visitor and the staff pedestrian entrances to stop any accidental entry to the prison of mobiles. The system is also available with a Jamming circuit; this is currently illegal within the UK."

Our work is only possible with your support.
Become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.

 Previous article

UK: You are not allowed to read this blog

Next article 

EU: Power struggles delay EU data protection reform

 

Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.

Report error

Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.

About | Contact | Privacy Policy