Correctional officers fighting to stop contraband cell phones entering federal prisons

Across the United States, federal correctional facilities are grappling with a dangerous and rapidly escalating threat: drones delivering contraband cell phones directly into prison yards. These unmanned aerial systems have become the method of choice for smugglers, bypassing fences, watchtowers, and routine searches—delivering devices that allow inmates to continue orchestrating criminal operations from behind bars.

This surge in drone drops has led to a sharp rise in contraband phone use inside federal prisons. And while phones still make their way in through other means—including visitors and occasional staff-related breaches—drones now represent the primary vector of this high-risk trafficking.

AFGE Local 4070, working alongside Senator Chuck Grassley's office, is backing the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act to address this urgent national security issue. This bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Senators Grassley and Jon Ossoff, would upgrade the crime of smuggling cell phones into federal prisons from a misdemeanor to a felony, applying to anyone—regardless of how the device enters the facility.

The bill is named in honor of Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a federal correctional officer at MDC Guaynabo in Puerto Rico, who was murdered in 2013. The ambush was ordered by inmates using a contraband cell phone—one of many that Albarati had helped intercept in his efforts to protect staff and disrupt criminal activity within the prison. His death is a tragic reminder of the very real consequences that stem from allowing these devices to proliferate unchecked.

"A cell phone in a prison is a deadly weapon," said DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz. "Lieutenant Albarati was a true hero, selflessly dedicated to making MDC Guaynabo and his community safer by preventing criminal activity inside the facility."

The scale of the problem is difficult to ignore. In 2024 alone, staff at Thomson Federal Prison recovered more than 400 contraband phones, yet not a single person was prosecuted—largely because smuggling remains classified as a misdemeanor offense. Meanwhile, industry experts estimate that up to 25% of federal inmates now have access to contraband phones. These phones can sell for anywhere between several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the demand and security posture of the institution.

"Congress must act now and pass the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act before another staff member is killed in the line of duty," said Jon Zumkehr, President of AFGE Local 4070. "The safety of our corrections officers and the security of our prisons hang in the balance."

The legislation goes beyond tougher penalties. It also addresses the technological evolution of the threat by urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to authorize cell signal blocking and drone detection systems within federal prisons—tools that are currently restricted or limited in many jurisdictions due to regulatory red tape. Without these critical capabilities, corrections officers are forced to defend against 21st-century threats with outdated equipment and limited options.

"Drones have fundamentally changed how contraband enters prisons," Zumkehr continued. "We need modern tools and modern laws to combat this modern threat."

For Helen Andujar Albarati, the widow of Lieutenant Albarati, the legislation brings accountability and urgency. "The fact that this bill now makes it a felony instead of a misdemeanor is not only providing some justice for my husband's sacrifice but also provides just and proper consequences for a crime that clearly rises to the level of a felony," she said.

Supporters of the bill emphasize that this is not just about enforcing discipline—it's about preventing serious crimes. Contraband phones have been linked to murder, drug trafficking, witness intimidation, and fraud schemes across the country. Inmates are using them to reach beyond the prison walls and continue harming communities, threatening victims, and compromising safety—sometimes with deadly results.
The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act represents a pivotal shift in how lawmakers approach this threat. By increasing the penalty to a felony and equipping prisons with drone mitigation and cell signal-blocking technology, the legislation gives corrections officers the tools they need to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the public.

As the bill advances through Congress, a growing coalition of corrections professionals, union leaders, victim advocates, and law enforcement allies are calling for swift action.

Their message is clear: contraband cell phones are not a minor violation—they are a gateway to violence. And with drone deliveries now leading the charge, the time to act is now.

In today's high-tech environment, a cell phone behind bars is more than just a communication device—it's a tool for retaliation, intimidation, and murder.

It's time we treat it that way.