The Federal Communications Commission announced it will vote November 19 on rules allowing state and local prisons and jails to deploy cellphone-jamming equipment to stop unauthorized communications by inmates. Texas prisons have recovered hundreds of contraband phones in recent years.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 28, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Thursday, November 19, 2026. FCC vote on rules allowing prisons to deploy cellphone-jamming equipment2
Who's involved
Federal Communications CommissionAgency voting on cellphone-jamming rule
Brendan CarrFCC Chairman announcing the vote
Texas Department of Criminal JusticeOperator of state prisons affected by proposed rule
The facts
FCC will vote November 19 on rules allowing state and local prisons and jails to deploy cellphone-jamming equipment.2
FCC began reconsidering cellphone-jamming restrictions through a September 30, 2025 rulemaking.2
Texas seized over 100 cellphones in a January operation targeting drone deliveries at Mark W. Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony.2
Seven civilians were arrested on organized crime charges in the January cellphone-smuggling operation, including a former Dallas correctional officer.2
During a 2023 statewide prison lockdown, Texas recovered 584 cellphones and 713 cellphone accessories.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Brendan Carr Thousands of contraband cellphones have been pouring into prisons, used by worst offenders.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
FCC to vote on rule allowing jamming of cellphones in prison
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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