Justice Minister says blocking phone signals in jails averts crimes

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Monday announced the start a cellphone signal-blocking pilot program at the 15 de Azua prison (south) this week, to prevent criminal activities from being ordered from within the penitentiary.

He said the blockers will be installed in every prison in the country according to available funds, because there’s not enough money to do so in all correctional facilities. He declined however to specify the cost of the signal-blocking devices.

Dominguez said the blocking aims to make sure the inmates don’t use phones for crimes including contract killings.

The official, who said the calls will only be made in supervised booths, with schedules on the days and time the inmates may communicate, asked Congress to pass legislation to block phone signals by law.