FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         USP
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1996                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
               USPC APPROVES NEW PAROLE CONDITIONS 
             FOR RESTRICTING EX-INMATES' COMPUTER USE

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United State Parole Commission,
responding to increased criminal use of the Internet, has
approved the discretionary use of special conditions of parole
that would impose tight restrictions on the use of computers by
certain high-risk parolees, the Department of Justice announced
today.  Parolees already face numerous restrictions on their
travel, association and other activities.

     The Commission acted at its December 1996 meeting after
noting the surge of "how-to" information available on the
Internet and other computer on line services relating to such
offenses as child molestation, hate crimes and the illegal use of
explosives.

     "Unrestricted access to the Internet and other computer on
line services can provide sophisticated offenders with new
opportunities for crime and criminal associations," said Edward
F. Reilly Jr., Commission Chairman.  "We cannot ignore the
possibility that such offenders may be tempted to use computer
services to repeat their crimes.."

     As an example of the new restrictions, the parolee may be
required to get prior written approval from the Commission to use
information services such as an Internet service provider,
bulletin board system or any other public or private computer
network. 
 
     Other conditions approved for use would prohibit the parolee
from possessing or using any data encryption technique or
program; require the parolee to agree to unannounced examinations
of his computer by his probation officer; permit the installation
of equipment, at the parolee's expense, to monitor computer use;
and require the maintenance of a daily log of computer use. 
  
     Any special condition on computer use imposed for a parolee
would be in addition to the standard conditions now in place that
limit the parolee's travel, association and other activities.  If
a restriction on computer use is warranted, the type of special
condition selected would depend on the parolee's individual
circumstances, recognizing that computers are used for numerous
legitimate purposes.
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96-592