Managed access (corrections)

Managed access is managing cellular network access from contraband phones within a corrections facility.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/07/technology/prison-cell-phones/index.html|title=FCC Wants to Stop Prisoners from Making Cell Phone Calls|author=David Goldman|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=CNN}} Managed access differs from cellular jamming technologies, which are outlawed in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/special-reports/article155315844.html|title=NC Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks Responds to Observer's Prison Investigation|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=The Charlotte Observer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.correctionsone.com/alabama/articles/8523258-Ala-DOC-focuses-on-managed-access-to-stop-contraband-cell-phones/|title=Ala. DOC Focuses on Managed Access to Stop Contraband Cell Phones|date=April 12, 2015|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=CorrectionsOne}} A managed access system functions like a femtocell or low-power cell tower which passes calls to cellular carriers; however, only communications from approved devices and emergency calling are allowed.{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/alabama_prisons_planning_syste.html|title=Alabama Prisons Planning System to Block Inmate Cellphone Calls|author=Mike Cason|date=April 12, 2015|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=AL.com}}{{cite web|url=https://gcn.com/Articles/2013/09/05/prison-cell-phones.aspx?Page=1|title=Prisons Get a New Way to Stop Inmates From Using Cell Phones|author=William Jackson|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=GCN}} The managed access signal appears as an extension of nearby commercial cellular signals; once a phone connects to the network its identifying information is compared with approved devices and communications are accepted or denied.{{cite web|url=https://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/institutional/contraband/Pages/cellphone-managed-access-systems.aspx|title=Managed Access Systems Can Prevent Contraband Cellphone Use|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=National Institute of Justice}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Ex-Corrections-Officer-Works-to-Disconnect-Inmates-Cell-Phones-455464753.html|title=Ex-Corrections Officer Works to Disconnect Inmates' Cell Phones|author=Willard Shepard|date=November 6, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=NBC Miami}} Managed access networks work with commercial cellular signals including 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, and WiMAX.

In 2010, the Mississippi Department of Corrections tested the first managed access system at Parchman Mississippi State Penitentiary; during one month the system blocked more than 216,000 texts and 600 phone calls.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/smartphones-in-prison-new-contraband-allows-inmates-to-make-money|title=Smartphones in Prison: New Contraband Allows Inmates to Make Money|author=Carol McKinley|date=October 11, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=The Daily Beast}} In 2013, the FCC recommended that prisons be allowed to manage their own network access without having to seek approval from the agency, saying that the process of inspecting the systems is "time-consuming and complex" and "discourages their use". In a 2016 op-ed, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai requested that the reforms proposed in 2013 aimed at loosening regulations on managed access and other solutions used to prevent the use of contraband cell phones should be enacted.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/04/05/nikki-haley-ajit-pai-fcc-contraband-cellphones-prison-criminals-crime-behind-bars-fcc-column/82649738/|title=Cellphones Are Too Dangerous for Prison: Nikki Haley and Ajit Pai|author1=Ajit Pai|author2=Nikki Haley|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=December 31, 2017|publisher=USA Today}}

As of 2016, only California, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas had tested managed access systems.