Prison Radio
Kerry “Shakaboona” Marshall

“Pennsylvania Department of Corrections hacked for incarcerated persons ID data,” by Kerry Shakaboona Marshall.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, a state agency that’s all about maintaining security, was hacked for incarcerated persons’ and DOC personnel’s identification data.

On April 3rd, 2018. The accreditation, audit, and risk management security company Arms, a vendor for the Department of Corrections was hacked for its data.

About 50,000 incarcerated persons’ and thousands of DOC personnel’s identification data was stolen by hackers. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections did not inform incarcerated persons of the data breach and theft of files until four months later in August 2018, well after hackers have compromised DOC security and made off with the stolen identity of 50,000 incarcerated persons.

By that time, hackers have done sold the stolen data on the underground market and fosters have done assumed the stolen identities and have went on identity crime sprees. Much damage can be done in four months with ID fraud.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has provided a pitiful number of incarcerated persons with free enrollment and monitoring by myidcare.com which notifies clients of suspicious activity occurring within their personal identification. Yet the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections failed to provide the entire 50,000 incarcerated persons with myidcare whose ID has been stolen.

What ever happened to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ [inaudible] security systems? What ever happened to swift action being taken to repair the security breach? What other happened to prompt notification to the victims of identity theft? Can the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spell “compensation”?

There is plenty of blame to go around for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ security failure. Because at the end of the day, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections are liable under civil law for the data breach and theft of incarcerated persons’ identification data.

From the belly of the beast at Prison Radio, I am Shakaboona. Thank you for listening.

These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.