Alva Review-Courier -

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is asking federal lawmakers to authorize the use of cellphone signal jamming technology after being bombarded by an overflow of smuggled cellular devices they say gangs use to commit crimes inside and outside prison.

Since 2011, the Corrections Department has seized over 48,500 prohibited cellphones, which include almost 1,800 since January, The Oklahoman reported.

"Just about every instance of violence behind the wire is due to cellphones and contraband," said Matthew Elliott, a Corrections spokesman.

In 2016, state correctional offi...