Greece is planning a major crackdown on illegal mobile phone use in its prisons, aiming to curb organized crime and violent incidents coordinated from behind bars. The Ministry of Citizen Protection is preparing to disable mobile signals in at least 20 of the country’s 35 correctional facilities.
Recent investigations indicate that numerous armed attacks and other criminal operations have been directed from within prisons. Authorities found that around 50% of organized crime activities in Greece are influenced or coordinated by inmates. To address this, the ministry plans to deploy specialized signal-jamming systems designed to target prison areas without affecting surrounding neighborhoods.
Despite frequent inspections and confiscations, a significant number of Greece’s 12,500 inmates continue to maintain mobile phones. In some cases, devices are smuggled in by corrupt prison staff, often linked to networks introducing phones and drugs into facilities.
Previous attempts to deactivate mobile phones in prisons over the last two decades failed due to inmate opposition and health concerns cited by legal representatives, who warned that some jamming systems could emit excessive radiation. Authorities also faced worries that such devices might unintentionally affect nearby civilians.
The new approach aims to overcome these issues with targeted systems designed for specific prison zones and software adjustments that exempt staff phones. Scientific advice from Greece’s “Demokritos” research center is being sought regarding radiation safety.
Alongside mobile phone restrictions, Greece is also introducing anti-drone systems in ten prisons, including the Korydallos facility, to prevent smuggling of phones, drugs, or other contraband via remote-controlled devices. Electronic gates for cargo inspections are being installed in prison kitchens, warehouses, and bakeries, while advanced detection devices are already operational in four facilities to identify even trace amounts of illegal substances. These efforts are part of the EU-funded “DrugDetect” program involving Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.
Authorities highlight that many high-profile attacks—including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings—have been orchestrated from within prisons. Inmates reportedly continue recruiting new members for criminal networks using mobile apps and social media platforms, often holding online meetings with collaborators.
The ministry has initiated discussions with companies from Israel, the UK, and Italy to identify the most effective signal-jamming systems for Greek prisons. The goal is to break the corruption cycle within facilities, where phones are sold to inmates for €2,000–€3,000 each.
While mobile-jamming technology is limited or regulated in countries such as the United States and France, Greece’s plan represents a significant step toward containing criminal activities orchestrated from behind bars while implementing strict safety measures for staff and surrounding communities.
Source: Tovima.com
