END CELLS Act

Penalties for wireless devices in jails

This bill would make it illegal, when against a federal or state rule, to bring, give, or help bring a wireless device into a jail or prison. People held in a facility would also be barred from possessing or trying to get such a device. Civil forfeiture could be up to $50,000 per violation or per day, capped at $1,000,000 for a single act or failure to act, and must be set within two years of the required notice. Willful and knowing violations could face criminal fines up to $50,000 per violation, and current imprisonment rules could still apply. The usual prior-citation step for these forfeiture cases would not apply. Lawful law-enforcement or intelligence work would be unaffected, and states could still enforce their own laws. A detention facility would include any correctional, detention, or penal facility in the U.S., and a wireless device would include devices and components used to connect to a network. These changes would apply only to conduct after enactment.