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Man Hacks Jail Computer Network To Get Inmate Released Early (bleepingcomputer.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A Michigan man pleaded guilty last week to hacking the computer network of the Washtenaw County Jail, where he modified inmate records in an attempt to have an inmate released early. To breach the jail's network, the attacker used only spear-phishing emails and telephone social engineering.
The man called jail employees and posed as local IT staffers, tricking some into accessing a website, and downloading and installing malware under the guise of a jail system upgrade. Once the man (Konrads Voits) had access to this data, investigators said he accessed the XJail system, searched and accessed the records of several inmates, and modified at least one entry "in an effort to get that inmate released early." Jail employees noticed the modification right away and alerted the FBI. The man as arrested a month later and is now awaiting sentencing (maximum 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000).
The man called jail employees and posed as local IT staffers, tricking some into accessing a website, and downloading and installing malware under the guise of a jail system upgrade. Once the man (Konrads Voits) had access to this data, investigators said he accessed the XJail system, searched and accessed the records of several inmates, and modified at least one entry "in an effort to get that inmate released early." Jail employees noticed the modification right away and alerted the FBI. The man as arrested a month later and is now awaiting sentencing (maximum 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000).
Suspect you're talking about this Florida prison escape by two inmates. The crazy thing about that story is how they were caught. All felons in Florida are required to register their locations after release. These two guys actually registered their location. They were working under the delusion that nobody would ever figure it out and doing everything possible to follow the law.
I'm pretty sure that they paid a lot for the forgery though. So it wasn't easy or cheap.
The concept of escaping from a prison and staying out for any length of time was common in older days but is pretty much dead in America today. The vast majority are caught almost immediately. All escapees do is add to their sentences.
Jail is a somewhat different story. Authorities may simply not care enough to launch a massive manhunt with a jailbreak by a misdemeanor offender. At the same time, the gain is less so why do it. These guys will have a vast loss for next to no gain.