Possession of cell phones by local jail or state prison inmates also becomes a Class H felony
Raleigh, N.C. Sept. 18 – Giving a prisoner a cell phone is now a felony under legislation signed into law today by Governor Pat McCrory. Previously, the offense was a misdemeanor. The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys praised the increased penalty in the wake of a kidnapping case which was directed by an incarcerated prisoner through communications sent by a cell phone.
Among those attending today’s bill signing was Wake County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Janssen, whose father was kidnapped earlier this year.
“We must do everything we can to protect those in the criminal justice system who protect us,” Governor McCrory said. “The state’s District Attorneys provided valuable guidance and support for this legislation, and North Carolina will be safer because of their efforts and those in the General Assembly who crafted and passed this bill.”
