Solano Grand Jury recommends Vacaville prison crack down on illegal cell phones

By Sarah Rohrs Posted: 04/21/2012 01:01:20 AM PDT
A state prison in Vacaville, the California Medical Facility, should have a plan to control unauthorized use of cell phones among inmates, the Solano Grand Jury recommended Friday.
The California Medical Facility houses sick, aging and infirm inmates, and also providing a psychiatric facility for incarcerated men.
In a report released Friday, jurors made two key recommendations as part of its four-page report. A chief concern deals with inmates' unauthorized use of cell phones, which can be used for illegal purposes and pose a threat to staff and inmate safety, according to the report.
"CMF staff stated there is a problem with cell phones being smuggled in by staff members and vendors for inmates' illegal use," the report noted.
According to state statistics, 236 cell phones were confiscated at CMF in 2011. The CMF staff recommends the state find a way to restrict unauthorized cell phone use by blocking signals within the facility.
Bill Sessa, spokesman for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, agreed unauthorized cell phones in all state prisons is a problem which the state is tackling.
The state this week signed a contract with Global Tel*Link to provide phones to inmates to make calls from an authorized phone network.
Technology will be used to block cellular communication transmissions, such as emails, texts, phone calls and Internet access, according to a state announcement. "It is a solution to a security problem which is not just at CMF but systemwide. We found a solution for it," Sessa said.
Another grand jury concern at CMF was that personal electronic safety alarms (or panic alarms) worn by staff do not always work in all parts of the prison, according to the report. "There are numerous 'dead spots' that render the alarm system ineffective and compromise staff safety," the report noted, adding that better methods for reporting emergencies be used. Sessa said the division had not yet seen the Grand Jury report and so was at somewhat of a disadvantage in responding to specific assertions.
However, Sessa said, CMF officers are "well equipped to report an emergency," and added that personal alarms worn by staff are tested every 24 hours. "Every time an officer goes out on a shift they have assurance the alarm is fully functioning. They also have a whistle so they have ample means to report an emergency," Sessa said. http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_20449357/solano-grand-jury-recommends-vacaville-prison-crack-down