Wow. Three Prisoners managed to code a prison data collection program that tracks numbers related to - Polidicks

[quote] LEXINGTON — Three computer savvy inmates serving time at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center have created a data collection program that may save the state millions of dollars, say three state representatives. The program initially was developed to monitor inmates during chow time. By entering each inmate in a computer system as they receive their food, corrections employees hoped to catch prisoners who were getting back in line and receiving a second meal. Oklahoma Corrections Department spokesman Jerry Massie said the program developed and maintained by inmates has been in place at Joseph Harp in Lexington for close to two years. Massie said that the program has the potential to be implemented in other state-run correctional facilities. Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, and Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, toured the medium-security facility Thursday to meet with corrections officials and the inmates themselves. While neither Massie or the lawmakers would give the names of the inmates who developed and currently are working on the program, both Martin and Cleveland said they believe one is serving time on a murder charge and at least one of the remaining two is incarcerated for a sex-related crime. The idea of convicted criminals developing such a program raises possible concerns that inmates could find ways to take advantage of the system. “It would be so easy for inmates who are savvy to build backdoors, even if the code is audited after it is deployed, if it is inmate-maintained,” Murphey said. Murphy said that to ensure the inmates aren't doing so, safeguards such as routine checks would have to be established. Martin agreed but adds that allowing prisoners to work on the program can save the state the money it would cost to hire a software developer.[/quote] [url]http://newsok.com/technology-savvy-oklahoma-inmates-develop-monitoring-program-that-may-save-state-money/article/3898257[/url] Of course, some of you coders might say that is easy maybe, but to do that while in prison, that's pretty impressive.

But could this lead to more "hackers" getting put in prison.

My high school cafeteria had a program that flagged people getting a second lunch and charged them double. Seems pretty strange that this kind of system is foreign to the prison system.

[QUOTE=James xX;42744762]But could this lead to more "hackers" getting put in prison.[/QUOTE] I'm not following, how could a system created and maintained by prisoners to prevent prisoners from getting multiple meals mean more hackers in prison?

I hope they had an outside expert inspect the code for malware. I just heard about a guy who almost/did escape by sending false paperwork to the office saying he was due to be released, I'm sure a good hacker could do the same to the electronic system. edit: Rate this post dumb if you believe malware doesn't exist, and criminals don't try to escape.

Gotta work hard to keep those inmates from getting...food... How about instead we just feed them better. Removal of liberty is the punishment, not food deprivation.

You know, this could be good example of a useful function. I.e reintegrating prisoners who have served their time, by working on such projects beyond menial labor.

[QUOTE=GunFox;42745072]Gotta work hard to keep those inmates from getting...food... How about instead we just feed them better. Removal of liberty is the punishment, not food deprivation.[/QUOTE] I don't see that helping, some people eat just because they're bored

50 bucks says those sex charges are CP

got a little bit of a shawshank vibe from this

[QUOTE]By entering each inmate in a computer system as they receive their food, corrections employees hoped to catch prisoners who were getting back in line and [B]receiving a second meal.[/B][/QUOTE] What.

[QUOTE=garychencool;42745531]What.[/QUOTE] They were going back to get two meals. They're only supposed to get one. What's the issue?

[QUOTE=frozensoda;42744988]I hope they had an outside expert inspect the code for malware. I just heard about a guy who almost/did escape by sending false paperwork to the office saying he was due to be released, I'm sure a good hacker could do the same to the electronic system. edit: Rate this post dumb if you believe malware doesn't exist, and criminals don't try to escape.[/QUOTE] how is a food tracking system going to bust them out

[QUOTE=Ericson666;42745754]how is a food tracking system going to bust them out[/QUOTE] If they decide that it's a good idea to have it run with every other prison software then I can think of a few possibilities

[QUOTE=Uzbekistan;42744812]I'm not following, how could a system created and maintained by prisoners to prevent prisoners from getting multiple meals mean more hackers in prison?[/QUOTE] Because you could see it as free labor, on top of saving the state money. I don't see how you don't see how the state would consider this beneficial?

[QUOTE=James xX;42746042]Because you could see it as free labor, on top of saving the state money. I don't see how you don't see how the state would consider this beneficial?[/QUOTE] Yeah, let's just throw people in prison because they can use a computer and put them to work.

They probably made enemies out of those guys who get seconds.

[QUOTE=GunFox;42745072]Gotta work hard to keep those inmates from getting...food... How about instead we just feed them better. Removal of liberty is the punishment, not food deprivation.[/QUOTE] Going back in line strains the food supply. Its not a removal of freedom, its basically, "You got your meal, let the others eat too."

[QUOTE=Banned?;42746079]Yeah, let's just throw people in prison because they can use a computer and put them to work.[/QUOTE] This thinking and private prisons will inspire harsh internet laws. But seriously

[QUOTE=GunFox;42745072]Gotta work hard to keep those inmates from getting...food... How about instead we just feed them better. Removal of liberty is the punishment, not food deprivation.[/QUOTE] That doesn't sound very profitable to me

[QUOTE=Tark;42745599]They were going back to get two meals. They're only supposed to get one. What's the issue?[/QUOTE] Maybe they're more hungry than usually, or the one and only meal they are supposed to get is not enough for them?

[QUOTE=Ericson666;42745754]how is a food tracking system going to bust them out[/QUOTE] They put themselves in the system as a cook, then they plant a virus in the system to download knockout gas recipe, and while they are "cooking" they make knockout gas which they downloaded the recipe for. They hack into the ventilation system with contraband cell phones send knockout gas through the system to knock out the guards. After they are outside they use their virus to fly a helicopter into the prison and they get air lifted out. Its obvious.

[QUOTE=Dr.C;42746153]That doesn't sound very profitable to me[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.ok.gov/doc/Organization/Field_Operations/Private_Prison_&_Jail_Administration/[/url] Fortunately it isn't one of the private prisons.

[QUOTE=garychencool;42746172]Maybe they're more hungry than usually, or the one and only meal they are supposed to get is not enough for them?[/QUOTE] Tough luck? It's prison, not exactly the kinda place where you should expect to be able to go back and get seconds just because you're a little bit hungrier than usual.

So could this lead to inmates forcing other inmates to hand over their information so that one inmate gets two meals and one doesn't get any? Sort of a prison-yard "give me your lunch money" type of deal?

[quote]Martin agreed but adds that allowing prisoners to work on [b]the program can save the state the money it would cost to hire a software developer.[/b][/quote] Or how about they pay the inmates what they actually deserve for coding this? Unless the inmates volunteered for this deal, it seems kind of bullshit that the state doesn't feel obligated to pay these guys justly.

[QUOTE=urbanmonkey;42746289]So could this lead to inmates forcing other inmates to hand over their information so that one inmate gets two meals and one doesn't get any? Sort of a prison-yard "give me your lunch money" type of deal?[/QUOTE] I would assume not. I figured it'd be more of like an ID you'd have to scan like at some schools.

[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;42744779]My high school cafeteria had a program that flagged people getting a second lunch and charged them double. Seems pretty strange that this kind of system is foreign to the prison system.[/QUOTE] If your being charged for your meal, why do they care if your getting seconds?

[QUOTE=Richy19;42746596]If your being charged for your meal, why do they care if your getting seconds?[/QUOTE] Because without the doubles system you're only paying for one of the two meals?

[QUOTE=Banned?;42746079]Yeah, let's just throw people in prison because they can use a computer and put them to work.[/QUOTE] You say that jokingly but it isn't far from the point I'm making. If they can get systems like this made by people who are computer savy who they have jailed, I don't see that as something they will notice and think "Hmm, this is a good reason to reduce the amount of time someone who gains access to a computer should be jailed for".