GOVERNOR O'MALLEY UNVEILS TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT CONTRABAND CELL PHONES AT BALTIMORE CITY DETENTION CENTER

Baltimore, MD (February 7, 2014) -- Governor Martin O’Malley visited the Baltimore City Detention Center (BCDC) today to introduce the newest tool in the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services battle against contraband cell phones behind prison walls: Managed Access technology, which blocks all illegal and unauthorized cell calls within the correctional facility’s walls.

The system is seen as a critical tool that will keep criminals from carrying out illegal activity behind bars. A product of Tecore, a Maryland-based company, Managed Access automatically differentiates between authorized and unauthorized cellular devices within a target area. Callers hear a recorded message alerting them that their call cannot be completed due to the unauthorized cellular device they are attempting to use. The system works without staff involvement or “jamming” of wireless signals.

Unlike cell phone “jamming,” Managed Access does not interfere with calls made from outside the prison walls, and thus does not violate federal law. It also does not interfere with emergency calls made from any cell phone.

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