US prison social media crackdown plan raises free speech concerns

The Federal Correctional Institution is shown in Dublin, California on March 11, 2024. Part of a broader overhaul of disciplinary procedures, the US Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) wants to increase penalties for inmates' use of social media for the purpose of committing crimes, which has some legal precedent, according to the proposal. — AP

RICHMOND, Virginia: A US federal proposal to step up penalties barring incarcerated people from using social media is likely to infringe on the right to free speech of both those inside and outside jail, rights advocates said.

A ban on people like family members from posting on behalf of prisoners could create a "chilling effect" on anyone considering helping inmates, or even attempting to contact them about conditions inside, the campaigners said.