Questions Raised Over the Legality of Jeff Smith's Prison Tweets
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Questions Raised Over the Legality of Jeff Smith's Prison Tweets

Date: February 25, 2010
By: Scott Kanowsky
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  The tweets from jail of former Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith cause debate in the Federal Prison Bureau.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Even from prison, Jeff Smith is still being heard.

A former aid is using Twitter to post Smith's e-mails about life in the Manchester Correctional Facility in Kentucky.

Federal Prison Bureau spokesperson Felicia Ponce says this is perfectly fine.

Actuality:  PONCE1.WAV
Run Time:  00:17
Description: "If the inmate goes through the proper channels and has the person approved and placed on their list, then they can send the e-mail to them. Once the recipient gets the e-mail and, we don't have any legal authority after what they do with that e-mail once they receive it."

However, an official from Smith's prison said the act is a violation of an inmate e-mailing program.

The official, who refused to be named, said Smith's e-mail could be shut down.

From the State Capitol, I'm Scott Kanowsky. 

Intro:  Jeff Smith's prison tweets cause conflict inside the Federal Prison Bureau.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Since he first entered a federal prison in Kentucky in January, the former Missouri State Senator has tweeted his experiences.

Smith e-mails an aid the messages which are then posted on Twitter.

When asked about this, an offical at Smith's prison said it was a violation of an inmate e-mailing program.

But Federal Prison Bureau Spokesperson Felicia Ponce sees nothing of the sort.  

Actuality:  PONCE2.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "As long as the inmate has gone through the proper channels to have that person approved on their list to send e-mails out, that is not a violation."

Ponce added the Prison Bureau has no control over the e-mails once they are delivered, unless the messages contain anything questionable.

From the State Capitol, I'm Scott Kanowsky.