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Investigation Finds Inmates Built Computers, Hid Them In Prison Ceiling (cbs6albany.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the Hogan's-Heroes dept.

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."

6 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. H1B Visa? by TFlan91 · · Score: 5, Funny

    H1B Visa cheap labor? Pft. Just look at home and hire some inmates

  2. Someone hire them... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

    1. Re: Someone hire them... by Maritz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Of course, once you know what generation someone is from, you're pretty much done and you don't need to know anything else about them. Because people from a particular generation are all the same. Solid thinking there bud.

      --
      I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
  3. If this was a movie... by sad_ · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...we would all be mocking it's unrealistic plot.

    --
    On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
  4. Re:Huh? by azcoyote · · Score: 5, Informative

    From TFA:

    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.

    --
    Incipiamus, fratres, servire Domino Deo, quia hucusque vix vel parum in nullo profecimus.
  5. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From TFA:

    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.

    Sounds like the program was successful to me...