Quasi-experimental evaluation of contraband interdiction technologies

Proposal Abstract
Problem Statement: The safety of incarcerated people and corrections staff is the top priority for the administrators of correctional agencies. Contraband wireless devices pose a significant threat to public safety, the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and correctional staff, and the overall security of correctional facilities. To combat these, agencies are implementing detection and disruption technologies to detect cell signals (e.g., cell scanners) and block them (e.g., managed access systems). While detection technologies help security officers identify contraband cell phones in correctional facilities, interception technologies aid agencies to disable call, text and internet functions in contraband cellphones, rendering them unusable for communication purposes. To facilitate the use of these technologies and disabling cell phones, the Federal Communications Commission recently introduced a regulatory intervention which allows certified members (through the Contraband Interdiction Systems (CIS) certification) of correctional institutions to directly work with wireless carriers to permanently disable contraband cellphones. 

Goals: The proposed mixed-methods, action-research study on examining detection and interception technologies in conjunction with FCC’s policy intervention for contraband cellphone interdiction has three goals: a) enhance the capabilities of select correctional agencies by facilitating the adoption of CIS authorization and evidence-based practices for intercepting contraband cellphones through action-oriented research; b) evaluate the effectiveness of detection and disruption technologies, alongside the FCC's policy intervention, in combating contraband cellphones; and c) increase field awareness about the challenges of contraband cellphones and interdiction technologies available to address challenges related to contraband cellphones. 

Partnerships: Urban will partner with 11 state Departments of Corrections as site partners, CNA Corporation as the research partner, and the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) as an implementation partner. 

Strategy: Through a 48-month mixed-methods study, the team will employ an action research evaluation approach to understand the impact of three distinct yet interconnected interventions on institutional security, as well as the safety of incarcerated people. The three interventions are functionally unique. The first focuses on detecting signal transmission (i.e., cell scanners and detection technologies), the second on interfering with signal transmission (i.e., managed access systems, MAS), and the third on disabling cellphones through a wireless service carrier. The project will begin with direct engagement with key stakeholders in the 11 partnering agencies to understand their intervention implementation goals and progress, and provision of technical assistance around the implementation of detection and disruption technologies and CIS certifications. Following this, the research team will identify 2-3 sites that are already certified and conduct an implementation assessment (including fidelity assessments) and impact evaluations on institutional safety measures, like cell phone recoveries, in-facility injuries, drug and weapon contraband recoveries, etc. There will be two tracks of the interventions subject to our impact evaluation: 1) the combined use of CIS authorization with detection technology and 2) the combined use of CIS authorization with interference technology.

Deliverables and Data Archiving: Research findings will be disseminated to academic, practitioner, and wider public audiences via publications in journal articles, conference presentations, policy briefs or guidebooks, and a final technical report. All analytic data files and relevant documentation will be submitted to the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD). CA/NCF