A report by the Ohio Inspector General finds that inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution built contraband computers and used them to commit crimes.
Staff at the Marion prison found two operable computers hidden in a ceiling at the facility. They say an inmate used the computers to steal the identity of another inmate to apply for credits cards and commit tax fraud.
Officials also say inmates used the computers to create security clearance passes for inmates. They would then gain access to restricted areas and download hacking tools to use in network attacks.
In addition, through a program run by the Ohio Penal Industries, the investigation determined that inmates had unregulated access to computer hardware, software and accessories. The Ohio Inspector General blames prison staff for not properly supervising the inmates who built the computers from parts, transported them through security checkpoints, hid them in the ceiling and ultimately connected the computers to the prison’s network.
The Marion County Prosecuting Attorney and the Ohio Ethics Commission will be examining the report.
