facebook
Procedures to Take Down an Active
Inmates Facebook Account
September

2014

Steps to take to locate, verify, record, report, takedown, follow up, and document inmate facebook pages.

Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services [ 1-877-256-6877 ]

Locate
If you receive a call from a victim or concerned citizen informing you about an inmate
Facebook (FB) page, have them forward you the link (URL) (copy and paste the address
bar, while on the inmates Page), if possible.
Example: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/564493676910603

Verify
Once you locate the inmate's page, verify that the FB belongs to the inmate fcrosscheck
SOMS/CalParole pictures with FB pictures). Inmates are using smuggled in cell phones to
update their FB accounts, so check the posts and photos.
Facebook policy does not allow for third parties to maintain accounts so if an inmate's
FB page has maintained since incarcerated the account can be shut down.
Note: Inmates are allowed to have a FB profde that they created prior to incarceration,
but their accounts cannot be active while they are behind bars.
Example:

Record
Record as much information as possible on the FB page. Pictures of the inmate in his
prison cell or CDCR issued jumpsuit prove that the inmate is using a contraband cell
phone. Inmates also typically post information proving that they are incarcerated (i.e.
Mailing address to the prison, CDC #, details about prison life).
>

To record photos, open the photo and right click and select "Save picture as". You
may also press the Print Screen (Print Scrn) button on your keyboard while on
the FB page to get a Screen shot (After pressing Print screen once, go to a blank
word document and right click and select paste).

Report
If there are photos of the inmate in prison, that proves he's using a contraband cell
phone. Contact the institutions Public Information Officer (PIO) and Investigations
Services Unit (ISU) so they can conduct a search for the phone and punitive actions can
be taken. Provide the PIO or ISU with as much information as possible.
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Inmates name and CDC number.
How the FB account was brought to your attention.
Provide the FB URL.
Provide photos and posts from the page.
Inform them of the last time the inmate posted on FB.

>

Inform them of any relevant content on FB.

You can find a list of PIO's at the CDCR website:
http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/News/PIO Lists.html

Takedown
Allow some time for the institution to find the cell phone before you takedown the F B
account.
To takedown an inmate's FB account go to the, "Inmate Account Takedown Request"
link: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/564493676910603
FB will only process reports submitted from Law Enforcement agencies. All takedown
requests must be submitted from official work e-mail address.
(Example: Mickey.Mouse@CDCR.CA.GOV]

Provide the information needed: Your full name, Your law enforcement agency, Link
(URL] to the account you'd like to report, Full name of the person (inmate] you'd like to
report, Reason this person (inmate] is incarcerated,, *Additional info, and Your official
law enforcement email address.
•

In the "Additional Info" section please write one of the following:
> (Inmates Name) is currently incarcerated at (name of institution! The
inmate is using a smuggled in cell phone to update his Facebook Account. The
use of a cell phone/electronic device and/or maintaining a Facebook account
is against California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation Policy.
> It has been discovered that a third party is maintaining the Facebook account
of (Inmates Name"). (Inmates Name) is currently incarcerated at (name of
institution). The use of a cell phone/electronic Device and/or maintaining a
Facebook account is against California Dept. of Corrections and
Rehabilitation policy.

Inmate Account Takedown Request
Note: We can only process reports from official members of law enforcement. Please make sure you are submitting this
form from your official work email address.
Your full name

Your taw enforcement agency

Link ¡URLJ to the account you'd like io report

Full name of the person you'd like so report

Reason this p e r s o n is incarcerated

Additional info

Your official- law enforcement email address
[

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Follow up
Follow up with the PIO or ISU to find out if any contraband cell phones were recovered
and if any punitive actions were taken against the inmate.
If a victim, vnok, or concerned citizen is on file and reported the account follow up with
them with any actions taken by you and the institution.

Document
After reporting the FB account document your actions taken by leaving detailed notes
in SOMS in the Victim Contact Section. Ensure to document:
> How the FB account was brought to your attention.
> What actions you took (Notify Prison, Contact FB Security Team).
> Any relevant information (Cell phone recovered, FB page Taken down, threatsj.
> Contact with the victim, vnok. Or concerned citizen.

If you have questions, need more information, or have feedback please contact:
David Maldonado-Outreach Coordinator/AGPA
Phone: 916-341-7053
David.Maldonado(5)CDCR. CA.GOV
Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services (OVSRS)
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
1-877-256-6877, VictimServices@CDCR.CA.GOV