GPS RESEARCH LIBRARY: MAS Technology, Vendors & Deployment in Georgia Prisons ============================================================ Georgia Prisoners' Speak — gps.press Generated: 2026-04-07 04:38:19 EDT Research Date: 2026-04-03 Topic: Contraband Interdiction JSON: https://gps.press/research-data/mas-technology-vendors-deployment-in-georgia-prisons/?format=json SUMMARY ---------------------------------------- Georgia spent approximately $50 million through FY2026 deploying Managed Access Systems (MAS) across 27 prison facilities to block contraband cell phones, yet violence dramatically escalated during the rollout period, with homicides rising from 31 in 2022 to 66 reported by GDC in 2024 and total deaths reaching a record 333. Three vendors—Trace-Tek/ShawnTech (28 facilities), CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv (4 facilities), and Hawks Ear Communications (3 facilities)—hold FCC CIS licenses, but significant concerns exist regarding procurement transparency (no RFP or contracts found), vendor qualifications (Hawks Ear is a 2-person operation with no track record), and a consistent correlation between MAS activation and subsequent violent incidents. The research documents that phone confiscation incidents actually increased despite MAS deployment, drone intrusions surged 600% since 2019, and the January 6, 2026 statewide WiFi cutoff preceded the deadliest prison incident (5 dead in 3 days at Washington SP). STATISTICS (22) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Total MAS and contraband technology spending through FY2026 Georgia spent approximately $50 million through FY2026 deploying Managed Access Systems at prisons, expanding from 23 to 27 facilities. Value: 50.0 million dollars Tags: budget,contraband,operations,policy Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] MAS expansion from 23 to 27 facilities Georgia expanded MAS deployment from 23 to 27 prison facilities through FY2026. Value: 27.0 facilities (vs. 23 prior facility count) Tags: operations,contraband,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Record 333 total deaths in Georgia prisons in 2024 Total deaths in Georgia prisons hit a record 333 in 2024. Value: 333.0 deaths Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: death,conditions Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] 37,000+ phones confiscated since 2022 Over 37,000 phones have been confiscated in Georgia prisons since 2022, averaging approximately 1,300 per month. Value: 37000.0 phones confiscated Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024) - [reported] C-DOS permanently disabled 4,000+ devices C-DOS (Cellular Denial of Service) by ShawnTech/Trace-Tek permanently disables devices, claims to bypass the warrant process, and has disabled 4,000+ devices. Value: 4000.0 devices disabled Tags: contraband,operations,legal Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] ShawnTech claims 86% of all FCC CIS licenses nationally ShawnTech/Trace-Tek claims to hold 86% of all FCC CIS licenses nationally, representing a near-monopoly in the managed access corrections market. Value: 86.0 percent of FCC CIS licenses Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,contraband,corruption Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] CellBlox Wireless Containment Solutions blocked 1.7 million calls by 2017 CellBlox's Wireless Containment Solutions blocked 1.7 million calls in Georgia prisons by 2017. Value: 1700000.0 calls blocked Date: 2017-01-01 Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Macon SP deadliest facility with 9+ homicides in 2024 Macon State Prison is the deadliest facility in Georgia with 9+ homicides in 2024. Value: 9.0 homicides (minimum) Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: violence,death,facilities Sources: GPS Homicide Database - [reported] 2025 confirmed 51 homicides in Georgia prisons GPS database shows 51 confirmed homicides in Georgia prisons in 2025. Value: 51.0 homicides Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: death,violence Sources: GPS Homicide Database - [reported] 2026 Q1 already 23 homicides In the first quarter of 2026, 23 homicides have already been confirmed in Georgia prisons. Value: 23.0 homicides Tags: death,violence Sources: GPS Homicide Database - [estimated] 20,000+ phones estimated in prisons at any time An estimated 20,000+ contraband phones are in Georgia prisons at any given time. Value: 20000.0 phones (estimated) Date: 2025-01-01 Tags: contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] MAS and drone detection AFY2025 budget: $35 million The amended FY2025 budget included $35 million for MAS and drone detection technology. Value: 35.0 million dollars Tags: budget,contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Additional FY2026 MAS funding: $13.4 million An additional $13.4 million was allocated in FY2026 for MAS and contraband technology. Value: 13.4 million dollars Tags: budget,contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Drone detection budget: $966,000 Drone detection technology was allocated $966,000 in budget. Value: 966000.0 dollars Tags: budget,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Mail screening costs: $900K-$1.8M per year Mail screening costs range from $900,000 to $1.8 million per year. Tags: budget,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Governor's total prison investment: $603 million over 18 months The Governor's total prison investment reached $603 million over 18 months. Value: 603.0 million dollars Tags: budget,policy Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] GDC FY2026 budget: $1.62 billion (44% increase from FY2022) GDC's total FY2026 budget is $1.62 billion, representing a 44% increase from FY2022. Value: 1.62 billion dollars (vs. 44 percent increase from FY2022) Tags: budget Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] 2,600 staffing vacancies from 7,587 security positions GDC has 2,600 vacancies out of 7,587 authorized security positions, representing approximately 34% vacancy rate. Value: 2600.0 vacancies (vs. 7587 total authorized security positions) Tags: staffing Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] 82.7% of officers leave within first year 82.7% of GDC correctional officers leave within their first year of employment. Value: 82.7 percent turnover within first year Tags: staffing Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] South Carolina Tecore MAS contract: $1.5-1.65M over 3 years South Carolina's Tecore MAS contract cost $1.5-1.65 million over 3 years (approximately $550,000/year), and disabled 800+ phones since July 2023. Value: 1.65 million dollars over 3 years Tags: budget,contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Senate Study Committee: 49,000 inmates, 31% gang-validated The 2024 Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration reported 49,000 inmates in the system, with 31% being gang-validated. Value: 31.0 percent gang-validated (vs. 49000 total inmates) Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: demographics,gangs Sources: Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024) - [reported] 800 arrests for smuggling 2023-2024 The Senate Study Committee reported 800 arrests for smuggling into Georgia prisons during 2023-2024. Value: 800.0 arrests Tags: contraband,corruption,investigations Sources: Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024) FINDINGS (11) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Three vendors hold FCC CIS licenses at 35 Georgia facilities Three vendors hold FCC CIS licenses at 35 Georgia facilities: Trace-Tek/ShawnTech (28), CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv (4), Hawks Ear Communications (3). Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,contraband,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; FCC CIS Licensing Records - [confirmed] MAS technical description MAS creates a private cellular network mimicking commercial carriers. When a phone connects, the system identifies it via IMEI/IMSI, checks a whitelist, and blocks unauthorized devices. Four approaches are used: Managed Access Systems, Beacon Technology, Geolocation-Based Blocking, and Micro-Jamming. Systems support 2G-5G, use software-defined radio architecture, with 911 passthrough and CALEA compliance via fiber-based DAS. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: operations,contraband,policy Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Ioannis Kormpis connected to both Trace-Tek and Kainotomia Systems Red flag identified: Ioannis Kormpis is connected to both Trace-Tek LLC and Kainotomia Systems, raising concerns about corporate structure and potential conflicts. Tags: corruption,operations,investigations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Aventiv controlled by Platinum Equity (Tom Gores) CellBlox is owned by Securus, which is owned by Aventiv, which is controlled by Platinum Equity (Tom Gores). Tags: operations,budget Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] CellBlox facilities include four of the most dangerous prisons CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv operates MAS at four Georgia facilities: Autry SP, Macon SP, Smith SP, and Telfair SP. Macon SP is the deadliest facility with 9+ homicides in 2024. Smith SP warden was arrested for a smuggling ring. Telfair SP warden was stabbed in March 2024. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: violence,death,corruption,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; GPS Homicide Database - [reported] Hawks Ear operated without FCC certification for years Hawks Ear Communications did not receive CIS Phase One certification until March 2025, meaning it operated at Georgia facilities without FCC certification for years. Georgia registration was in March 2022. Tags: legal,corruption,operations,investigations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; FCC CIS Licensing Records - [reported] Correlation: every confirmed MAS activation followed by violence within 2-7 weeks Every confirmed MAS activation was followed by significant violence within 2-7 weeks, establishing a consistent pattern between cell phone crackdown measures and subsequent violent incidents. Tags: violence,operations,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Most violent facilities all have CIS vendors The most violent facilities by homicide count — Smith SP (17), Macon SP (17), Telfair SP (8), Hancock SP (8), Phillips SP (7), Valdosta SP (7), Ware SP (7) — all have a CIS vendor operating MAS. Tags: violence,death,facilities,contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; GPS Homicide Database - [reported] South Carolina: legitimate calls increased 68% after MAS but assaults also rose 68% In South Carolina, legitimate phone calls increased 68% after MAS deployment, but assaults also rose 68% (2013-2017), and homicides went from 1 to 12. A 25% guard vacancy rate was identified as the primary driver of violence. Tags: violence,contraband,staffing Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] 7 max-security prisons over 30 years old (designed lifespan 15-20 years) The Senate Study Committee reported that 7 maximum-security Georgia prisons are over 30 years old, despite being designed for a 15-20 year lifespan. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: facilities,conditions Sources: Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024) - [reported] MAS Phase 3: hundreds of phones permanently disabled per facility During MAS deployment Phase 3 (weeks 2-4), hundreds of phones are permanently disabled per facility via IMEI blacklisting. Tags: operations,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons TRENDS (4) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] Homicides skyrocketed during MAS rollout 2022-2024 During MAS rollout (2022-2025), homicides skyrocketed from 31 (2022) to 38 (2023) to 66 (2024) as reported by GDC. Tags: violence,death,operations,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; GPS Homicide Database - [reported] Phone incidents increased despite MAS deployment Despite MAS deployment, phone-related incidents increased from 8,966 in 2019 to 10,578 in 2023 to a record 11,880 in 2024. Total incidents from 2019-2025 reached 23,623. Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Drone incidents surged 600% since 2019 Drone incidents in Georgia prisons surged approximately 600% from 43 in 2019 to 297 in 2023 and 283 in 2024. Over 1,000 drone incidents have occurred since 2022. Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Mississippi MAS: calls dropped from 20,043 to 393 over three years At Mississippi's Parchman, unauthorized calls dropped from 20,043 in Year 1 to 393 in Year 3, and SMS from 2,282 to 162 over the same period. Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons CASE DETAILS (20) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] Trace-Tek FCC CIS certification date Trace-Tek LLC received FCC CIS certification in March 2024. Equipment listed as ShawnTech C5-2020-CA/LAMS, covering frequencies 716-2690 MHz. Date: 2024-03-01 Tags: operations,contraband,legal Sources: FCC CIS Licensing Records - [reported] ShawnTech company profile ShawnTech Communications is a corrections integrations provider based in Miamisburg, Ohio. Founded 1986, corrections since 1993. President/CEO Lance Fancher. Minority-owned, family-owned. MBE/DBE certified in 15+ states. Tags: operations,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] CellBlox Georgia pilot began 2014 CellBlox began a pilot MAS program in Georgia in 2014. Securus acquired CellBlox in January 2015, investing $40+ million in MAS technology. Tags: operations,contraband,budget Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Hawks Ear Communications is a 2-person operation with no physical office Hawks Ear Communications, operating MAS at 3 Georgia facilities (Hancock SP, Phillips SP, Valdosta SP), is a 2-person operation with no physical office. Roger Banks (Fort Lauderdale) is listed as Manager and also runs a windows/door company. Myles Lu (Vancouver BC) is the technical contact at Star Solutions International. The Fort Lauderdale address is an entertainment/IP lawyer's office (Concept Law Group), and the Atlanta address is a Regus virtual office. The company has no website and no track record. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,operations,investigations,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; FCC CIS Licensing Records - [reported] Hawks Ear experimental FCC license never granted Hawks Ear Communications received an FCC experimental license in 2019 to test near Hancock SP, but equipment was listed as 'TBD' and the license was never granted. Date: 2019-01-01 Tags: operations,contraband,legal,investigations Sources: FCC CIS Licensing Records - [reported] Dooly SP MAS activation followed by riot 47 days later Dooly SP MAS was activated approximately July 26, 2025. A riot occurred on September 11, 2025, exactly 47 days after activation. Tags: violence,operations,facilities,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Washington SP MAS activation followed by 5 deaths in 3 days Washington SP received MAS in late December 2025. A homicide occurred on January 9, 2026, and a gang war/riot on January 11, 2026, resulting in 5 dead in 3 days. Tags: violence,death,gangs,facilities,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] January 6, 2026 statewide communication blackout On January 6, 2026, GDC cut off WiFi workaround statewide. Inmates had discovered the GDC WiFi password and were tunneling through VPNs. This was the last communication channel for hundreds of blacklisted phones. The cutoff was instantaneous and statewide. Five days later, on January 9-11, the deadliest incident occurred at Washington SP with 5 dead. Date: 2026-01-06 Tags: violence,operations,contraband,conditions Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Operation Skyhawk results Operation Skyhawk resulted in 150 arrests (including 8 GDC staff), seizure of 87 drones, 273 phones, and 185 lbs of tobacco. Tags: contraband,corruption,operations,investigations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Washington SP: 17 drone incidents since end of 2023, 5 dead in January 2026 Washington State Prison experienced 17 drone incidents since the end of 2023, and 5 people died in incidents on January 9-11, 2026. Tags: contraband,violence,death,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] 911 vulnerability at Macon SP: 204 emergency calls in 2024 Inmates at Macon SP dialed 911 from contraband phones, exploiting the MAS 911 passthrough requirement. There were 204 emergency calls in 2024, none legitimate. This overwhelmed and shut down the 911 center serving 13 Georgia counties. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: contraband,operations,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] AG Carr joins 22-state coalition January 2023 Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joined a 22-state coalition in January 2023 calling for FCC action on cell phone jamming in prisons. Date: 2023-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Carr letter to FCC June 2024 Attorney General Chris Carr sent a letter to the FCC in June 2024 advocating for phone jamming authority in prisons. Date: 2024-06-01 Tags: legal,policy,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] Carr leads 23-state coalition January 2026 In January 2026, Attorney General Chris Carr leads a 23-state coalition advocating for FCC cell phone jamming authority. States include GA, AR, AL, AK, FL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MT, NE, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WV. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: legal,policy,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] South Carolina Lee Correctional riot 2018 Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina experienced a riot in 2018 that killed 7 and injured 17, the deadliest prison incident in a quarter century. Date: 2018-01-01 Tags: violence,death Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Mississippi: first MAS 2010 at Parchman Mississippi deployed the first MAS in 2010 at Parchman prison using Tecore iNAC technology. The system blocked 10,600 call attempts in the first 24 hours and reduced unauthorized attempts by 60% by end of the first month. Date: 2010-01-01 Tags: contraband,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] GDCP MAS activation July 2025 or earlier Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (GDCP) had MAS activated in July 2025, likely earlier. Date: 2025-07-01 Tags: operations,contraband,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Hays SP, Calhoun SP, Wilcox SP MAS active before Dec 15, 2025 GPS article updated December 15, 2025 confirmed MAS was active at Hays SP, Calhoun SP, Wilcox SP, Dooly SP 'and many others.' Date: 2025-12-15 Tags: operations,contraband,facilities Sources: GPS Article (Updated Dec 15, 2025) - [reported] Smith SP warden arrested for smuggling ring The warden at Smith State Prison was arrested in connection with a smuggling ring. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: corruption,contraband,investigations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [reported] Telfair SP warden stabbed March 2024 The warden at Telfair State Prison was stabbed in March 2024. Date: 2024-03-01 Tags: violence,staffing,facilities Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons DATA GAPS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] No procurement records found for any MAS vendor No RFP, sole-source justification, or contract award was found on the Georgia DOAS registry or Team Georgia Marketplace for any of the three MAS vendors. This represents 35 facility contracts worth tens of millions of dollars with zero procurement transparency. Date: 2026-01-01 Tags: corruption,budget,operations,investigations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons; Georgia DOAS/Team Georgia Marketplace - [reported] GDC reported 66 homicides in 2024 but GPS confirmed only 45 GDC reported 66 homicides in 2024, but GPS confirmed only 45. Approximately 21 Q4 homicides remain unidentified due to information suppression. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: death,violence,investigations Sources: GPS Homicide Database LEGAL FACTS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [reported] MAS Phase 2 disrupts medical equipment (Eighth Amendment issue) During MAS deployment Phase 2, heart monitors and wireless medical devices stop functioning, creating a potential Eighth Amendment issue under Estelle v. Gamble (1976) regarding deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Tags: medical,legal,conditions,operations Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons - [confirmed] FCC adopts jamming proposal September 30, 2025 The FCC adopted a jamming proposal on September 30, 2025, marking a potential regulatory shift toward allowing cell phone jamming in correctional facilities. Date: 2025-09-30 Tags: legal,policy,contraband Sources: GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons METHODOLOGY NOTES (1) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] GPS database: 244 confirmed homicides, 170 reclassified using AJC data The GPS homicide database contains 244 confirmed homicides, of which 170 were reclassified using AJC investigation data that revealed systematic misclassification of prison deaths. Tags: death,violence,investigations Sources: GPS Homicide Database; AJC Prison Death Reclassification Investigation POLICYS (2) ---------------------------------------- - [confirmed] New solicitation for offender communications services posted Dec 6, 2025 Solicitation 46700-GDC0001179 was posted December 6, 2025 for new comprehensive offender communications services, with a deadline of February 20, 2026. Date: 2025-12-06 Tags: operations,policy,budget Sources: Georgia DOAS/Team Georgia Marketplace - [confirmed] Senate Study Committee recommendations The Senate Study Committee recommended: advocate federal approval for phone/drone jamming, single-person cells, public-private partnerships, and consistent warden policies. Date: 2024-01-01 Tags: policy,contraband,facilities Sources: Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024) DATASETS (8) ---------------------------------------- # Georgia Prison Homicides by Year (GPS Database, Post-AJC Reclassification) Annual homicide counts in Georgia prisons based on GPS database with reclassification using AJC data. 2024 shows both GPS confirmed count and GDC reported figure. Year Homicides Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 8 2018 9 2019 13 2020 29 2021 30 2022 31 2023 35 2024 45 GPS confirmed; GDC reported 66, ~21 Q4 unidentified 2025 51 2026 23 Q1 only # Phone Incidents in Georgia Prisons by Year Annual phone-related incidents in Georgia prisons, showing increase despite MAS deployment. Year Phone Incidents ----------------------- 2019 8966 2023 10578 2024 11880 # Drone Incidents in Georgia Prisons by Year Annual drone-related incidents in Georgia prisons showing ~600% increase since 2019. Year Drone Incidents ----------------------- 2019 43 2023 297 2024 283 # Homicides by Most Violent Facility (GPS Database Total) Cumulative homicide counts at the most violent Georgia prison facilities, all of which have CIS vendors. Facility Total Homicides CIS Vendor -------------------------------------------------------- Smith SP 17 CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv Macon SP 17 CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv Telfair SP 8 CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv Hancock SP 8 Hawks Ear Communications Phillips SP 7 Hawks Ear Communications Valdosta SP 7 Hawks Ear Communications Ware SP 7 Unknown # MAS Vendor Distribution in Georgia Prisons Three vendors and their facility counts for FCC CIS licenses at Georgia prison facilities. Vendor Facility Count Facilities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Trace-Tek/ShawnTech 28 Various (not individually listed) CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv 4 Autry SP, Macon SP, Smith SP, Telfair SP Hawks Ear Communications 3 Hancock SP, Phillips SP, Valdosta SP # Mississippi Parchman MAS Effectiveness Over Three Years Unauthorized call and SMS attempts at Mississippi's Parchman prison after MAS deployment in 2010. Year Unauthorized Calls Unauthorized SMS ---------------------------------------------- Year 1 20043 2282 Year 3 393 162 # Georgia MAS and Contraband Technology Budget Breakdown Budget allocations for managed access systems and contraband technology in Georgia prisons. Category Amount Period ---------------------------------------------------------------- MAS + Drone Detection (AFY2025) 35000000 AFY2025 Additional MAS (FY2026) 13400000 FY2026 Drone Detection 966000 FY2025-2026 Mail Screening (low estimate) 900000 Annual Mail Screening (high estimate) 1800000 Annual Total Contraband Tech 50000000 Through FY2026 Governor's Total Prison Investment 603000000 18 months GDC Total FY2026 Budget 1620000000 FY2026 # Confirmed MAS Activation Timeline and Subsequent Violence Timeline of confirmed MAS activations at Georgia prison facilities and subsequent violent incidents. Facility MAS Activation Date Violent Incident Days Between ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dooly SP ~July 26, 2025 Riot Sept 11, 2025 47 Washington SP Late Dec 2025 Homicide Jan 9 / Riot Jan 11 (5 dead) 14 GDCP July 2025 (likely earlier) N/A Hays SP Before Dec 15, 2025 N/A Calhoun SP Before Dec 15, 2025 N/A Wilcox SP Before Dec 15, 2025 N/A KEY ENTITIES (37) ---------------------------------------- - Autry State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison with GCI shoe/boot manufacturing and garment operations. - Calhoun State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where two female correctional officers were arrested in 2020 for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine in Hot Pockets; cases dismissed due to GDC failure to test evidence. - CellBlox/Securus/Aventiv [organization]: MAS vendor operating at 4 Georgia facilities. CellBlox owned by Securus, owned by Aventiv, controlled by Platinum Equity (Tom Gores). $40+ million MAS investment. (aka: CellBlox, Securus, Aventiv, Wireless Containment Solutions) - Chris Carr [person]: Georgia Attorney General. National leader on cell phone jamming advocacy in prisons, heading coalitions of 23-31 state attorneys general pushing for federal authorization. - Concept Law Group [organization]: Entertainment/IP law firm in Fort Lauderdale whose address is used as Hawks Ear Communications' registered address. - Dooly State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where Jackie Kavaskia McMillan led drug trafficking network; second highest cell phone seizure count by end of 2016 (1,342 phones). - Estelle v. Gamble [case]: 1976 U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing that deliberate indifference by prison personnel to a prisoner's serious illness or injury constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. - Federal Communications Commission [organization]: Federal agency with authority over prison communications rates under the Martha Wright-Reed Act; implemented rate caps in 2024 that were suspended under new Republican majority in 2025 (aka: FCC) - GDC [organization]: Georgia state corrections department operating 12 reentry centers with 2,344 beds and various cognitive programming initiatives. (aka: Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia DOC) - Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison from which David 'Toro' Zavala operated drug trafficking while serving time for armed robbery. - Georgia DOAS [organization]: Georgia state procurement authority. No MAS procurement records were found in its registry. (aka: Department of Administrative Services, Team Georgia Marketplace) - Georgia Prisoners' Speak [organization]: Advocacy organization documenting conditions inside Georgia prisons through photos and insider accounts, including food inadequacy. (aka: GPS) - Governor Brian Kemp [person]: Current Georgia Governor whose administration reversed the Deal-era justice reinvestment approach, returning to a warehousing-first model with escalating costs (aka: Kemp) - Hancock State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison where THC gummies, white powdery substances, and marijuana were recovered in January 2024. - Hawks Ear Communications [organization]: Mysterious 2-person MAS vendor with no physical office, no website, no track record, and no deployed product. Holds 3 Georgia prison contracts. Registered in Georgia March 2022. (aka: Hawks Ear) - Hays State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Hays) - Ioannis Kormpis [person]: Individual connected to both Trace-Tek LLC and Kainotomia Systems, flagged as a potential conflict of interest. - Kainotomia Systems [organization]: Company connected to Ioannis Kormpis, who is also associated with Trace-Tek LLC. - Lance Fancher [person]: President/CEO of ShawnTech. - Lee Correctional Institution [facility]: South Carolina state prison where a 2018 riot killed 7 and injured 17, the deadliest prison incident in a quarter century. - Macon State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Macon) - Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman) [facility]: Mississippi state prison that received the first MAS deployment in 2010 using Tecore iNAC technology. (aka: Parchman) - Myles Lu [person]: Technical contact for Hawks Ear Communications, based in Vancouver BC. Works at Star Solutions International. - Operation Skyhawk [operation]: 2024 multi-state operation resulting in 150 arrests (including 8 GDC employees) targeting drone-based smuggling networks into Georgia prisons. - Phillips State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Phillips) - Platinum Equity [organization]: Private equity firm founded and controlled by Tom Gores. Acquired Securus in 2017 for ~$1.5B. Losing ownership of Aventiv through debt-for-equity exchange with creditors. - Roger Banks [person]: Manager of Hawks Ear Communications LLC, the most opaque of the three managed access vendors covering three Georgia prison facilities - Senate Study Committee [organization]: Georgia Senate committee that studied corrections staffing issues and reported findings in December 2024. - Smith State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison targeted by drone smuggling networks; subject of Operation Night Drop indictments. - Solicitation 46700-GDC0001179 [legislation]: Georgia procurement solicitation posted December 6, 2025 for comprehensive offender communications services, deadline February 20, 2026. - Star Solutions International [organization]: Vancouver BC company where Hawks Ear technical contact Myles Lu works. - Tecore iNAC [organization]: Managed Access System technology provider whose iNAC system can distinguish and route pre-authorized device activity to commercial networks (aka: Tecore) - Telfair State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison involved in Operation Ghost Busted (Desiree Briley) and Operation Night Drop drone smuggling network. - Tom Gores [person]: Billionaire founder and CEO of Platinum Equity; owner of the Detroit Pistons. Controls the PE firm that owns Aventiv/Securus. Has publicly stated the prison telecom industry should be led by nonprofits. - Trace-Tek/ShawnTech [organization]: Corrections integrations provider based in Miamisburg/Beavercreek, Ohio. Founded 1986, corrections since 1993. Claims 86% of all FCC CIS licenses nationally. Operates MAS at 28 Georgia facilities. (aka: Trace-Tek LLC, ShawnTech Communications, ShawnTech) - Ware State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison leading all GDC facilities in cell phone seizures by end of 2016, with 1,392 phones confiscated. - Wilcox State Prison [facility]: Georgia state prison visited by DOJ during 2022-2023 investigation (aka: Wilcox) SOURCES (7) ---------------------------------------- - AJC Prison Death Reclassification Investigation, Atlanta Journal-Constitution [journalism, primary] - FCC CIS Licensing Records, Federal Communications Commission [official_report, primary] - Georgia DOAS/Team Georgia Marketplace, Georgia Department of Administrative Services [data_portal, primary] - Georgia Senate Study Committee on Incarceration Report (2024), Georgia General Assembly by Senators Robertson, Beach, Bearden, Jackson, Anderson, Gooch, Albers (2024-01-01) [official_report, primary] - GPS Article (Updated Dec 15, 2025), Georgia Prisoners' Speak (2025-12-15) [gps_original, primary] - GPS Deep Research: Cell Phone Crackdown in Georgia Prisons, Georgia Prisoners' Speak (2026-04-03) [gps_original, primary] - GPS Homicide Database, Georgia Prisoners' Speak (2026-01-01) [gps_original, primary]