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Investigation Finds Inmates Built Computers, Hid Them In Prison Ceiling (cbs6albany.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from WRGB: The discovery of two working computers hidden in a ceiling at the Marion Correctional Institution prompted an investigation by the state into how inmates got access. In late July, 2015 staff at the prison discovered the computers hidden on a plywood board in the ceiling above a training room closet. The computers were also connected to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's network. Authorities say they were first tipped off to a possible problem in July, when their computer network support team got an alert that a computer "exceeded a daily internet usage threshold." When they checked the login being used, they discovered an employee's credentials were being used on days he wasn't scheduled to work. That's when they tracked down where the connection was coming from and alerted Marion Correctional Institution of a possible problem. Investigators say there was lax supervision at the prison, which gave inmates the ability to build computers from parts, get them through security checks, and hide them in the ceiling. The inmates were also able to run cabling, connecting the computers to the prison's network. Furthermore, "investigators found an inmate used the computers to steal the identify of another inmate, and then submit credit card applications, and commit tax fraud," reports WRGB. "They also found inmates used the computers to create security clearance passes that gave them access to restricted areas."
H1B Visa cheap labor? Pft. Just look at home and hire some inmates
That cabling is a crime.
They sound like better job candidates that the millennial types that come through our doors. US millennials especially, they seem to think they deserve a cookie for knowing very basic things.
Free housing, free food, free computer parts ... sweet!
How many slashdotters do I need to murder before I'm living the dream?
See? All you need to overcome the most insane obstacles is motivation. Just think of all the things these poor people had to go through to get internet access!
It's kinda humbling.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
They then used their new access to commit further crimes, fraud and identify theft. This doesn't do much to dismiss the stereotype, once a crook always a crook.
Somehow I not excited when I then see show how they get a free education to then work in the computer industry and yet I had to pay for mine.
--XYZZY--
They found a pirate copy of doom on the computers, which is the thing that turned em into criminals.
They seem to be able to get things working, which is better than most...
...we would all be mocking it's unrealistic plot.
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
How does an inmate goes about building a computer "from parts" as if you could join copper pipes, rocks and whatnot together and magically transform it into a computer? That's not how it works! xD
Did the inmates have access to electronics recycling centers or something? Were people smuggling RAM chips, CPUs and whatnot inside somehow? This story is so weird...
If only they had born in .ua or .ru or even in .ng they would have had flourishing careers as top dons or at least as top henchmen to top dons. Sad they ended up in USA. Their local don, the for-profit-prison industrial complex cronies do not see the value in the phenomenal access they have to local talent.
sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
You just have to get a VLSI design tattooed on your back.
I would guess that the major thing would be the screen. Given that phones are basically devices that let you on the Internet, that would be the size that is needed.
From that device you can easily telnet, ssh and obviously a browser. So that will cover about 99.9 of the Internet usage.
If they have a screen and remote, a computer stick is all you need. Plug it in and you are done. No need to do any hacking on building.
If this where a desktop with a full size keyboard and mouse and 24" screen I would be truly impressed. The fact that cellphones are found on a regular basis, I am less impressed as that is what you need to make a network connection.
Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
he just looked through the ODRC system for a young inmate with a long sentence, then used his information to get the cards.
If the bank is giving a credit card to a prison inmate with a long sentence, I feel like there's a moral imperative for someone to take advantage of them, for their own good.
This posting is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, implied or otherwise.
Sounds like a reeeeeeaaaaaaallll secure prison.
The phrase "Raspberry Pi in the bum" got a whole new meaning.
WTF is a prison doing with easily accessible drop ceilings, anyway? That's insane.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
The inmates were able to get the parts from a program where inmates break down computers in order to learn computer skills and recycle the parts.
To be fair, it seems that this program was a complete success.
their only mistake was not filing their own release paperwork?
I am debating as to whether or not this would look good on a resume, namely cyber crime\penetration testing type stuff. I would at least find it intriguing. Some of the crimes they committed indicate they were expecting to be released at least in the next few years. I suppose that will no longer be the case.
Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
I don't want to know how they smuggled in the motherboard.
You are welcome on my lawn.
and it didn't cost them a dime...
what the guy who stole a car one piece at a time?
Fire The Prison Staff. The Prisoners are already in charge, leave them in-charge and continue to not pay them. Problem solved.
I want to see the anus that smuggled in a monitor.
Using Java.
With a smartphone it'd be way easier!
Sent as ripples into the electromagnetic field. No single photon has been harmed in the process.
Managers at my government IT job are supposed to return the PCs for reimage and deployment when an employee leaves or a department has layoffs. Some managers don't return the PCs, claiming that IT already took them away. A popular place for storing unused PCs is the utility closet inside women restrooms. Since the site techs are males, they have no business being in the women restroom. The female cleaning crew usually blows the whistles on these PCs as they manage the utility closets. Strangely, only the women restrooms have these utility closets.
In the old days you had to spend weeks filing a spoon into a shiv to take out Big Vinny. Today you hack into his mob family's bank account to get even.
I can understand that keeping physical contraband from sneaking around a prison might be rather tricky; but it sounds like the admins were, perhaps literally, asleep at the switch if unauthorized devices and users were able to get network access without being noticed.
"Hooters, cooters, tutors, computers!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [Shamwow Guy in Jail Parody]
I tend to rant.
Is sit on your butt, you will think of ways to pass the time of day. Stills, tattoo guns, computers...
There's way too much faggotry in this discussion, and most Slashdot discussions for that matter.
Political fags? Please fuck the fuck off. Seriously, you're shitting this place up almost as bad as if it were 4chan/pol/. You're CANCEROUS, and need to be EXCISED.
at fox river you use to just needed to payoff the guards but then they got a new warden after some guys got out and things changes. But they still have cheap payphones that take coins there.
Furthermore, "investigators found an inmate used the computers to steal the identify of another inmate
I... eh. Don't care.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
There is a new MacGyver. I loved the original, so I watched part of one new ones. I quickly came to the conclusion that it was made for children. It was ridiculous. Then, reflecting back, I had the revelation that the original was also geared toward children. It was ridiculous too. The difference is that 30 years ago I was a child and Mac was fun. I've aged considerably since then. Most of us have.
Mac wouldn't need to build a spare parts computer. He'd just use his shoelaces and a pulley to bend the bars and escape.
And that's why you use MAC authentication on switches. Fucking noobs.
"tipped off to a possible problem in July, when their computer network support team got an alert that a computer "exceeded a daily internet usage threshold."
Might want to run a black light over that room, then maybe bleach...
Twenty seconds of Google shows me that Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio is a minimum and medium security facility. wiki link
Now, my understanding of minimum security facilities is only based on Canadian sites, but it is that they're basically a locked dorm complex, so the whole 'drop ceiling' and 'secure network' parts may not really apply.
I played this one. It's good.
-linux... they can't *give* that shit away.
i guess that explains why imgur has sucked lately, i think those guys were probably producing 80% of the daily memes that didn't completely suck.
where they will ask what computer the person wants to use.
And the sadistic warden gives them a different one. Haha! That will teach them.
__
Men with no respect for life must never be allowed to control the ultimate instruments of death.
GW Bu
Comment removed based on user account deletion
...this is pretty badass.
Would of been easier.
They do a lot of manufacturing. My factory made high end office furniture (desks, tables, credenzas) and some wooden games. The furniture went to government offices only (FBI, military, SSA, INS, etc.) and the games went to private industry. Inmates did production control using SAP and manufacturing using CNC saws and mills. The staff lived in fear of the clerks (inmates) getting in trouble because we had such a hard time finding guys who could use the computer.
Just another case of unqualified, idiot law enforcement staff.
Self-importance and self-indulgence is the root of ALL evil.
I work in a locked down environment, posting anonymously.
There is computer access here, and occasionally someone will figure out ( usually with help from someone outside) how to use proxies to access things outside the filter.
Do you know what they ALWAYS hit?
Here's a hint: It's not great books, or legal scholars, or morality plays, or videos on the 13th amendment.
It's porn. And maps to their enemies houses. And stories about their friends killing other people . And lots and lots of pictures of gang members standing around flashing gang signs.
There may be a few redeemable, but for the most part they're all looking to continue in the lifestyle.
It's a collection of stories from hackers who were willing to talk to him about everything and one of the stories is about 2 guys in a Texas prison in the 80s who did this with DIAL UP.
So about 10 fewer Anonymous Cowards on /. ?