406 DEAR HACKER

406 DEAR HACKER

publications and in 13 years I have never seen those page markers. Also, the envelope that you sent was, as usual, opened and taped back together, but strangely had also been stapled. They never do both of those here at this unit. Strange, strange, strange. Or I really need to go home because I don’t have a life.

If you like, you can print my name and address in case someone else would like to write me.

Michael E. Short #774048 Rosharon, TX

Paying attention to such detail is always a good thing. Most people would never have noticed what was right in front of them. What we were able to find out was that the MSCP is the Mail System Coordinators Panel. These are the people who actually review the publications and decide whether to approve or deny them. Perhaps they’re supposed to remove their name (as well as any markers like the ones you found, which may point to articles of particular concern) before the inmate gets the publication delivered. The DRC seems to be more of an appeals process. Their responsibilities also extend to removing people from visiting lists. From the Offender Orientation Handbook: “All publications are subject to inspec- tion by the MSCP and by unit staff. The MSCP has the authority to accept or reject

a publication for content, subject to review by the DRC.” We imagine that “ET/ MSCP” means that someone with the initials E.T. was the person typing the report or the one in charge.

As for registering your domain name, all it takes is someone with Internet access to grab the name for you. They can find listings of registrars by entering “Internet reg- istrars” on Google and then picking one that’s cheap and has a good reputation. They can then hold onto the domain until you’re ready to use it. Depending on how long that is, you might want to consider waiting until you get out, unless you really believe something will make someone else take your domain name that, to this day, hasn’t already been claimed.

BEHIND THE WALLS

Dear 2600: So I am sitting in my cell the other day reading the latest issue (26:1)

and in walks the unit counselor. He looks at me, smiles, and says “here you go.” I look down at the glossy flyer with the corporate logo I faintly recall from all the bulletin boards around the joint. “Serving over one million inmates...” Huh!? More confused or intrigued than sold, I read on. Simple money transfer alternatives, digital same day depos- its, just walk in to any participating Wal-Mart (read: Sam Walton Correctional facility grand opening soon!). My cellmate happens to

be unintentionally computer illiterate and he asked me, “I wonder if someone could hack in and put money on my account.” I wonder.... Anyway, since this is the only company in town, we are rather curi- ous to know more about them. Social or technological vulnerabilities? What are we being exposed to here? Will the Jpay logo one day be the header of my parole papers? www.jpay.com ?

Anonymous This is an interesting site that allows you to do all sorts of things from transferring

money to making restitution to sending letters to inmates. If there are vulnerabili- ties, we have yet to hear of them. We’d also like to hear if this site is helping prison- ers or taking advantage of them.

Dear 2600: