Posted on 07/29/2018 8:58:53 AM PDT by TaxPayer2000
Inmates in Idaho successfully hacked the software of the prison-issued tablets to issue themselves nearly a quarter of a million dollars in credits on the devices that are often one of their only connections to the outside world. The tablets, made by prominent prison vendor JPay, give inmates the ability to use email, listen to music and transfer money, among other basic computing functions, but charge fees for some services.
The Associated Press reports that Idaho prison officials discovered 364 inmates leveraging a software vulnerability to increase their JPay account balances. In Idaho, the devices are the result of a partnership between JPay and CenturyLink. The latter company confirmed the software vulnerability but declined to offer further details beyond stating that it had since been resolved.
Of the 364 inmates exploiting JPay, 50 inmates were able to issue themselves credits for more than $1,000. One inmate was able to use the software flaw to self-issue a credit of almost $10,000. The company has recovered about a quarter of the total of around $225,000 so far and has suspended some functions for inmates until they reimburse the stolen credits.
This conduct was intentional, not accidental. It required a knowledge of the JPay system and multiple actions by every inmate who exploited the systems vulnerability to improperly credit their account, Idaho Department of Correction spokesperson Jeff Ray said in a statement on the JPay incident.
The individuals exploiting the JPay system are incarcerated at a handful of Idaho prisons, including Idaho State Correctional Institution, Idaho State Correctional Center, South Idaho Correctional Institution, Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino and a private Correctional Alternative Placement Plan building.
On its website, JPay describes itself as a highly trusted name in corrections because we offer a fast and secure method of sending money, which seems up for debate given the recent turn of events. The company has a presence in prisons across 35 states.
Maybe they shouldnt have given a tablet to the guy who was in for HACKING!
No TV,,,or if there is one have it play Jerry Falwell for 8 hours a day,
Three hots and a cot. Maybe TV.
______
No tv. Hand them a bible to read for entertainment. Or maybe have the bible read over an intercom system. Period.
My daughter and son in law lived in Orleans county for a few years. The prisoners have it good! The fam can visit them using their home pc and remote into the securus sessions. There’s a kiosk outside the county lock up to put in money so the prisoners can have their creature comforts.
With three squares, plenty of recreation time and yoga/art classes, what’s not to love? I often think we are the dummies for going to work every day (and having 2nd/3rd jobs as well to pay the taxes)
Not anymore. Theyre monitored now, not punished. Another system the left has corrupted squealing and fighting for prisoners rights.
Initially, NYDOCS allowed visits to inmate's every day. Can't remember exactly when, but at some point it was cut down to just weekends, although a lawyer's visit could still occur at any time, but it had to be scheduled ahead of time so staff coverage could be found. On weekends, an officer would go around the visiting room to see if people wanted to leave money for the inmate. The officer would take the money, and give the visitor a receipt for the cash, etc., and at the end of the visiting hours each day, the officer would deposit everything in a secure place so the business office people could pick it up when they arrived on Monday.
It's been several years since I've run into anyone that I used to work with, to even find out how those things are handled now. The State may have already set up some type of secure online site for people to transfer funds into an inmate's account. I'm so glad I retired when I did. Never had to deal with Elliot Spitzer, David Paterson, or Andrew Cuomo as Governors, although I was working while Mario Cuomo was Governor. The only thing I ever missed about the job was the great group of officers I worked with on my shift.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.