Inmate Posts On Facebook From Prison
FOLSOM, Calif. (CBS13) -- California prison officials have launched an investigation into a convicted felon's postings on Facebook from inside a state prison.
Frederick Garner, who is serving a 22-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter at Cocorcan State Prison, had a Facebook profile under the name "Brotherbo Garner" and used it to make a number of posts in recent weeks.
On December 12, at 1:11 a.m., he wrote, "hi mom :-)love you bunches! lots of hugs and kisses 4 you. Thank you mom4 everything."
Just 28 minutes later, he added, "Hey mom nice pix. thanx4 sharing. love ya honey. ur son Bo."
A number of other posts and photos were also posted from the same account. After CBS13 started investigating the posts, Garner's Facebook page was made private and then taken down.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said they found printouts of Garner's postings inside prison and believe someone mailed him what he wrote online.
"CBS13 is the one who tipped us off on this particular inmate," said spokesperson Terry Thornton. "On the surface, [Garner's postings] look pretty harmless, but knowing that so many inmates are involved in gangs, it's possible these could be coded messages."
Cell phones are one of the most sought after contraband items for inmates, officials said, and are often smuggled into prisons using cereal boxes, shoes or even a deck of cards.
The CDCR has confiscated more than 9,000 phones this year in state prisons. In 2007, they found just 1,400.
"This is very serious and people's lives can be at stake. Public safety is at stake," Thornton said.
If the investigation finds that Garner had a hidden cell phone, he won't face new charges because possession of a cell phone inside prison is not illegal. A state senator is working on legislation to change that.
Garner was first incarcerated for voluntary manslaughter in 2001.
Facebook was launched in 2004.
