Lee Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Phones Smuggled into Prisons

Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) is introducing legislation cracking down on smuggling cell phones into federal prisons.

Specifically, Rep. Lee's Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act strengthens the offense's severity to a felony and current deterrence methods, which will be comprehensively reviewed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) annually.

The bill is named after Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a correctional officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, who was shot and killed in a conspiracy orchestrated by several federal inmates in 2013 for repeatedly confiscating their contraband materials, including cell phones.

"Cell phones smuggled into prisons are being used to orchestrate criminal operations that endanger correctional officers, inmates, and the public," said Rep. Lee in her press release, adding, "This legislation strengthens the consequences for those who bring these devices behind bars and ensures the Department of Justice has the tools and direction needed to review and improve prison policies that address contraband. I am proud to introduce this legislation to protect the safety of our correctional officers, inmates, and communities by cracking down on the illegal use of cell phones in prisons."

In June 2023, Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced a similar bill, the END CELLS in CELLS Act, prohibiting any federal, state, or local inmate from possessing a phone or similar wireless communication device. Additionally, anyone who attempts to provide them to convicts will similarly be penalized, with fines up to $50,000 per violation as part of the Act.

"Americans deserve the confidence of knowing that once a criminal has been locked away, the perpetrator cannot continue to victimize others from behind bars," Rep. Bilirakis said at the time, adding, "We have seen prisoners use illegal devices to facilitate escape attempts, coordinate murders, and endanger children to sexual predators. Enough is enough! We can lower the incidence of criminal acts taking place from behind bars by cracking down on those who smuggle electronic devices into prisons and on those who are found in possession of these illegal devices."