Contraband 101: The conclusion

By Tonya Peters, Backgate Website

Check out the below statistics on cell phone confiscations 

within TDCJ dating back to 2008. Have the numbers improved

or have they become progressively worse ? You be the judge.

Calender Year 2008
Month	Number of Incidents of Cell Phones Found
June	80
July	114
August	121
September	123
October	174
November	91
December	100

Calendar Year 2009
Month	Number of Cell Phones Not Intercepted
January	118
February	78
March	88
April	101
May	83
June	90
July	87
August	93
September	129
October	83
November	84
December	76

Calendar Year 2010
Month	Number of Cell Phones Not Intercepted
January	65
February	71
March	86
April	98
May	62
June	45
July	67
August	65
September	68
October	58
November	48
December	58

Calendar Year 2011 (Through June 2011)
Month	Number of Cell Phones Not Intercepted
January	67
February	48
March	58
April	86
May	57
June	44

(Explanation of statistics: TDCJ first counted numbers of total phones found inside and outside.

they then began logging them as found prior to being introduced (found) and the phones found

inside the secure perimeter (phones not intercepted). 

The AFSCME Union had this to say when we asked their opinion about how TDCJ is

currently handling issues with contraband:

"The AFSCME Union believes the overall problem with contraband in TDCJ is not the
fault of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice or Brad Livingston.  From our
experience blame should fall on the Texas House Appropriations Committee and Rick
Perry.  The Texas Board of Criminal Justice and Brad Livingston supported in full
the 20% increase in pay for Texas Correctional Officers.  The House Appropriations
Committee and the Governor's Office did not support the increase in pay.  Without
proper pay TDCJ is forced to take short cuts in recruiting qualified applicants to
keep positions filled."