The turn toward computers to solve the myriad problems associated with the valid testing of large-scale inmate programs yielded its' own difficult and unique set of problems. It was not long before a threat posed by inmate computer hackers began to emerge. These prisoners ranged widely with regard to their degree of computer skill and posed a constant threat to any system of computerized testing within a correctional environment. The rewards for inmates to develop a means of cheating on programs are constantly present and consumers ready to pay for an easy way through programs are always readily at hand. The more difficult and intensive programs proved to be, the higher the price inmate consumers would pay to circumvent such a program.

  With computerized testing of these programs and the resultant increase in learning that had to be done by inmates to successfully complete such programs, the reward for any inmate finding a way to beat the system grew.

   In addition, the higher the processing volume of the program, the greater the chance that the format would be exposed to inmate computer hackers. Such hackers, even if not personally interested in breaking into computers running programs, are constantly subject to pressures from a variety of other inmates to do so in order to gain access to "salable" tests. Word has reached us that if computer savy inmates could not be convinced by prison gangs to try to hack into computers for personal gain, they were threatened. As such, the program had to stand up to assaults by the resources of the entire inmate population and still maintain its validity.

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