Signal blocking technology in Chilean prisons: from challenges to new opportunities

In today's digital age, the illegal use of mobile phones in prisons has become a major challenge in prison management around the world. Especially in Chile, despite strict laws on prison visits and transportation of goods, mobile phones still flow into prisons through various means. signal jammer These mobile phones not only contribute to the continuation of criminal activities, but also threaten public safety. Therefore, the Chilean government decided to implement a new mobile phone signal blocking system to deal with this serious problem. cell phone jammer

Background and challenges

By 2024, Chile plans to implement signal blocking technology in 14 prisons across the country, including important cities such as Santiago, Arica, and Valparaiso. GPS jammer Although Chile has tried to use signal jamming technology in prisons many times before, past solutions were eventually abandoned due to imperfect technology. These technologies are not precise and often block not only the signals of prisoners, but also the communications of prison staff and surrounding residents. Wifi jammer Therefore, finding a more precise solution has become a top priority for the authorities.

Introduction of new system

The latest signal blocking system is designed to solve the problems that existed in the past. Unlike traditional wide-area signal jammers, the new system uses a network of multiple antennas to specifically identify and block illegal mobile phone signals without affecting legal communications. According to Thierry de Saint-Pierre, an expert at the University of Saint-Sebastian, this new technology can scan the communication spectrum in prisons, automatically identify which signals come from illegal mobile phones, and then block them in a targeted manner. It is worth mentioning that this technology is no longer a simple "crude" shielding, but uses a sophisticated computer system to monitor specific frequency bands.

The implementation of this technology enables prison managers to flexibly respond to new mobile phone smuggling methods. For example, in Santiago Prison No. 1, more than 300 illegal mobile phones were seized in the latest search operation, showing the severity of the problem. The new system adds illegal mobile phone signals to the "blacklist" through continuous signal monitoring and adjustment, ensuring that even if new illegal mobile phones enter the prison, their signals can be blocked in time.

Balance between security and privacy

However, the new signal blocking system has also raised concerns about privacy and security. Because the prison is located near urban residential areas, the interference technology in the past has caused the normal communication of neighboring residents to be damaged, which has been improved in the new system. By accurately positioning the antenna, it is ensured that the signal is blocked only within the prison range, and the surrounding residents will not be affected. "If the antenna is set in the right direction, it can avoid interfering with residents' communications," said de Saint-Pierre.