Jails ban Fitbits to stop inmates from receiving secret messages

ELECTRONIC fitness trackers have been banned from Scottish prisons amid fears they could be used to pass messages to inmates.

Fitbits, which are worn like a wristwatch, have LED sensors which monitor heart rate, count calories, and measure steps and distance walked using GPS.

But the renowned brand and similar high-tech trackers also wirelessly connect to mobile phones and some receive text, email and call notifications.

It is illegal to have a mobile phone behind bars – the penalty is up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.

The Scottish Prison Service has been forced to prohibit all fitness trackers under the same legislation.

A source at one prison said: ‘Fitbits are now banned, so they are absolutely not allowed through security.

‘We’ve had to take them from all visitors – including lawyers, family members, charity workers and clergy – because they can be used to relay messages to criminals.

‘Staff are not allowed to wear them either, which many have found frustrating as they can’t record the many steps they do during each working day.’

Legislation passed by the Scottish Government says access to mobile phones in prison is ‘strongly associated with drug supply, violence and bullying’.

Last year searches found a 40 per cent increase in the number of inmates with mobiles. Gangland killer Jamie Bain, 32, has been caught with a phone eight times at HMP Shotts. It is feared the trackers could be smuggled in and messages sent to them via Bluetooth.

Some small trackers can be removed from their straps and be passed discreetly between people, or be easily concealed in a sleeve or a pocket.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: ‘Fitbits are not articles in use. Anything connectable to the internet is not permitted.

‘The law precludes mobile communications devices or paraphernalia associated with them. Fitbits can connect to mobiles. They can receive text messages and call notifications, therefore it is illegal to possess them.

‘They could be used to send messages to people inside prison, dependent on the range of the Bluetooth connectivity.

‘The penalty for possession is up to two years in jail.’

Fitbits are popular with celebrities and former President Barack Obama is a well-known fan of them. The Fitbit website boasts the devices can connect to more than 200 types of phones, using Android, iOS and Windows – more than any other tracker.

The site states: ‘Tracker notifications can let you know what’s happening on your nearby iOS or Android mobile device.’

Fitbit, which has its headquarters in San Francisco, sold more than 22million devices in 2016.

‘Taking them from all visitors, even lawyers’