Why Do Inmates Have This Freedom?
Nov 22, 2011 Political
The AP has a report out about people who are being intimidated by inmates through social media, most notably, Facebook. It appears that inmates are using Facebook to harass and intimidate the victims of their crimes as well as the witnesses to those crimes.
Some victims and witnesses are very upset and scared that those who are in jail could use Facebook to get information that would help them or their surrogates to attack them. The information on Facebook, the pictures, the location information and the large amount of data that FB seems unable to keep secure (and often deliberately releases) is great intel for people who will soon leave prison or who have friends on the outside who can attack the innocent.
Why do criminals have access to computers that are connected to the Internet? Why, for that matter, do they even have access to computers? It is bad enough that we allow them to have cable TV with a zillion channels but now they have access to computers and the Internet. Unbelievable.
Some of the problem, it seems, is that inmates use cell phones that have been smuggled in to access the Internet. How do people sneak phones into the jail? Certainly the guards could sneak them in so they should be searched when they enter. If they get caught sneaking a cell phone in then they should get six months in jail and lose their job.
People who smuggle a phone in and get caught should be sent to jail for six months and be denied permission to visit inmates. Inmates caught with cell phones should have six months added to their sentences, be put in solitary for a month and have their privilege to get visitors suspended for six months.
Make it tough for all concerned. I am all for the prisons installing the cell phone jammers and other technologies to keep cell phones from sending or receiving.
Any inmate caught harassing people through social media (or in any other fashion) should receive even more stringent punishment.
Keep in mind that the jails are secured facilities and that they are supposed to keep things from coming in or going out without close scrutiny. How are tens of thousands of phones entering these facilities?
Because they are full of the same incompetence that permeates all levels of government.
These are the same kinds of people who will be running your health care…
Cave canem!
Never surrender, never submit.
[tip]If you enjoy what you read consider signing up to receive email notification of new posts. There are several options in the sidebar and I am sure you can find one that suits you. If you prefer, consider adding this site to your favorite feed reader. If you receive emails and wish to stop them follow the instructions included in the email.[/tip]
Tags: cell phones, facebook, inmates, intimidation, smuggling