Prisons in Oklahoma struggling to halt contraband cellphones

(Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is asking federal lawmakers to authorize the use of cellphone signal jamming technology after being bombarded by an overflow of smuggled cellular devices they say gangs use to commit crimes inside and outside of prison.
The Oklahoman reports that since 2011, the Corrections Department has seized over 48,500 prohibited cellphones, including almost 1,800 since January. In 2016, correctional officers removed a record high of 9,766 cellphones.
Corrections officials across the U.S. have cited cellphones as a reason for violent crimes behind bars and on the streets.
Federal officials oversaw a cellphone jamming test at a South Carolina state prison in April after seven inmates were killed in a gang fight, in part over contraband cellphones.