Federal legislation allowing states to jam cellphones smuggled into prisons has won support from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and other attorneys general.

Mayes became part of a collaborative group that sent a letter to the leaders of both parties in the House and Senate last week, advocating for H.R. 2350 and S. 1137. Proponents of this federal legislation argue that it aims to hinder inmates from coordinating criminal activities from within prison walls through the use of illicitly obtained cellphones.

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. David Kustoff from Tennessee and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton from Arkansas permits states to implement mobile jamming technology.

“Contraband cell phones give dangerous individuals the power to direct drug trafficking, commit fraud, and threaten innocent people from behind bars,” Mayes said in a news release. “This legislation is about giving states the tools we need to protect the public and stop violent criminals from continuing to operate prison-based crime rings. It’s a commonsense, bipartisan solution — and Congress should act without delay.”

The correspondence to Congress emphasises that mobile devices have evolved from mere communication tools to instruments that criminals exploit for unlawful activities. A case is highlighted involving a violent gang leader who utilised a smuggled mobile while incarcerated to threaten a local prosecutor and her family in North Carolina.

Authorities revealed that a criminal had intentions to abduct and murder the prosecutor’s father, but swift action from law enforcement thwarted the plot, according to a letter from the attorneys general to congressional leaders.

“Current federal law severely restricts our ability to implement effective countermeasures,” the attorneys general wrote. “While we have access to some technological solutions, we cannot deploy the most effective tool available — cell phone jamming systems — which leaves our prisons vulnerable and our communities at risk.”

“Each day that passes without this authority represents another opportunity for incarcerated criminals to extend their reach beyond prison walls,” they said.

In addition to Mayes, the letter is endorsed by attorney generals from a variety of states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.