Prison cellphone jamming test scheduled in Md.

The first federally sanctioned test of cellphone jamming equipment in prison will take place in Maryland this week, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said.

The system is meant to help states stop inmates from running criminal enterprises with contraband phones.

Shaun Adamec said Tuesday that the testing will take place at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland. The tests are set to begin Wednesday in the western Maryland prison.

It is illegal for states to use cellphone jamming equipment without federal permission. Congress is considering legislation to enable states to seek permission to use the technology.

O'Malley and U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) asked the federal government last year to allow the testing to better inform Congress about the technology. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration agreed to hold the test.

-- Associated Press