Argentina launches program to block mobile phones in prisons

The Argentine government has officially launched the Program for the Detection and Blocking of Mobile Telephony in Penitentiary Establishments. Established via Resolution 806/2026 by the Ministry of Security, the initiative aims to prevent criminal organizations from using mobile devices within prisons to coordinate illegal activities. The system works by identifying the IMEI, IMSI, and phone number of detected devices and forwarding this data to telecommunications companies, which are then required to block them.

Participation in the program is voluntary for provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Jurisdictions that join must cover the costs of equipment purchase, installation, and maintenance. The Ministry of Security will act as the central authority for processing blocking requests to ensure provinces do not attempt to disable lines independently.

In response to this national initiative, the Misiones Provincial Penitentiary Service announced it will maintain its existing communication protocol for the time being. The current system in Misiones, which evolved from measures implemented during the pandemic, allows for controlled access to communication for inmates with limited family contact, subject to social worker reports and official authorization. The province is also working to replace smartphones with analog technology to limit access to social media and digital tools.