Republican Rep. Laurel Lee Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced legislation today aimed at enhancing safety within federal prisons by increa
Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced legislation today aimed at enhancing safety within federal prisons by increasing the penalties for smuggling or possessing contraband cell phones.
The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act is named in honor of a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer who was tragically murdered in 2013 by individuals who used a contraband cell phone to coordinate the attack.
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“Contraband cell phones are often used to facilitate illegal activity and pose a serious risk to correctional officers, other inmates, and civilians. This bill will increase the penalty for smuggling cellphones into prisons and will provide oversight of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ensure our prison systems and their policies are being upheld,” said Rep. Laurel Lee.
Currently, smuggling a cell phone into a federal prison is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in prison. The proposed legislation would elevate this crime to a felony, carrying significantly harsher penalties.
In addition to increasing penalties, the bill mandates a review of Department of Justice (DOJ) policies related to contraband in prisons and directs the BOP to update those policies as needed.
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