[justabystander]

If crimes were easily trackable and prosecutable, we probably wouldn't have such a hard time keeping criminals in jail. We still have crimes committed in jail that don't get properly solved, much less sentenced.

Also, this isn't necessarily about dumb kids being busted for drugs or stealing, but organized crime members. The possibility of them ordering hits from inside prison walls or tracking down people in witness protection kind of makes people nervous about letting them talk with anyone and everyone. That's not to say it's the most effective means, since smuggling, messengers, visitors and other means still exist for passing information. But that's not really an excuse to not try at all.

[jakobegger]

I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of prisoners are not mafia bosses who order hits from prison. I'd consider it totally okay to isolate these people.

But most prisons are filled with dumb kids busted for drugs or stealing, and I see no reason why we should make them even more miserable... I'd rather have them keep their connections in the outside world, so they have more of a chance to get back on their feet once they are released.

(Also, I'm pretty sure an prisoner browsing Facebook all day makes a lot less trouble than one who has nothing to do all day...)

[moftz]

Prisoners already have communication mediums that guards can monitor and if they want to talk to someone with no prying ears or eyes, they can talk to a lawyer. Prisoners should have no need for cell phones or access to unrestricted communications. Yes, there are some young people in prison that really shouldn't be but there are plenty of dangerous gang members in there that should be totally removed from their "business responsibilities".

[Chaebixi]

> Prisoners already have communication mediums that guards can monitor

Those are often exploitatively priced, a situation Ajit Pai has sought to preserve:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/02/republican-led-f...

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/technology/fcc-prison-pho...

[moftz]

That's a different issue and shouldn't be resolved by letting prisoners have unrestricted access to cell phones.

[placeybordeaux]

But it's not solved so the smuggling will continue.

[sluggg]

You forget that mafia bosses don't get put into jail for being mafia bosses. Many times they got caught with smaller crimes, like tax evasion.