Can inmates post online or use Craigslist in prison?

In most prisons, including facilities like Shutter Creek in Oregon, inmates do not have direct access to the internet. They cannot legally browse websites, use social media, or post ads online the way people on the outside can.

If you are seeing something posted online that appears to be from him, there are a few possible explanations.

The most common is that someone on the outside is posting on his behalf. Friends or family sometimes manage social media accounts, post ads, or communicate online for an inmate. That is completely allowed and happens often.

Another possibility is misuse of contraband cell phones. While it does happen that phones are smuggled into facilities, it is against the rules and taken very seriously. If an inmate is caught with a phone, the consequences can include disciplinary action, loss of privileges, time in segregation, transfer to a higher security facility, and even new criminal charges in some cases. Because of the risks, it is not something most inmates want to be involved in, especially if they are working on education or trying to stay on track.

Given that he is working on his GED and taking classes, it is more likely that someone else is handling any online activity for him rather than him accessing the internet directly.

If you are unsure, the best approach is to ask him directly through a letter or phone call. That will give you a clear and reliable answer without having to guess.