A bill allowing states to use cell-phone jamming technology, S.251, passed the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5 and will now be considered in the House. Another bill, S.1749, adds cell phones to the list of contraband in federal prisons. These bills address a legitimate problem, but they also miss an important opportunity.

Neither bill addresess the reason many prisoners use cell phones - to stay in touch with loved ones.

Forty-four states accept kickbacks from phone companies, which overcharge prisoners for phone calls. Prisoners in more than 10 states pay over $1 a minute for out-of-state calls. This must change.

Urge your representatives in the House to introduce amendments to S.251 and  that would require states to reject phone company kickbacks and pass savings to prisoners if they want to use the jamming technology. This would address the safety issue while helping prisoners connect with their communities.