Prisoners found with cell phones as national emergency alert test exposes them

The National Wireless Emergency Alert System has caught out several prisoners for their contraband cell phones.

On Wednesday (4 October), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted a statewide test to determine how effective the government's mass communication options are.

Phones, TVs and radios all sounded an alarm at 2:20pm ET - including the devices of some prisoners, hidden illegally.

When the alarm - a unique tone and vibration - sounded, a text also appeared on people's cell phones reading: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. The purpose is to maintain and improve alert and warning capabilities at the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial levels and to evaluate the nation's public alert and warning capabilities. No action is required by the public."

The message appeared in English or Spanish - depending what language people have their devices set to.

A message was also broadcast on TV and radio and read: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."

Not everyone received the national emergency alert test, however, some unlucky prisoners were amongst the many who's phone buzzed and pinged off - phones they aren't allowed to have with them in their cells.

Getty Images/ Paul Chinn/ The San Francisco Chronicle

An official from New York State Prison told TMZ the test led to two phones being confiscated from inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.

Two phones were also retrieved by guards at FCI Coleman Low in Florida, another source told the outlet.

And it wouldn't be a surprise if other prisons had similar experiences too.

However, the Federal Bureau of Prisons told TMZ: "The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not elaborate on specific internal security procedures for safety and security reasons."

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According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, if someone is caught with a phone in prison, they 'may be charged with a Class E Felony'.

In a post to its website on 23 June, 2021, it explains the felony is 'punishable by fine'.

"A fine of $3,000 will be imposed upon offenders who repeatedly violate this law," it adds.

Corrections Commissioner Tony Parker states: "Contraband cellphones are a significant security threat, that makes possible the type of illegal activity that leads to criminal conspiracies between people inside our correctional environment and those on the outside.

"Inmates use these cellphones to engage in drug operations, sex trafficking, and other organized criminal activities that cause devastating consequences for public safety, and empower these criminals to continue a life of crime."

UNILAD has contacted the Federal Bureau of Prisons for comment.