Reuniting Long-Lost Cell MatesReuniting Long-Lost Cell Mates

Why should colleges and the military be the only groups with online 'find your long-lost buddy' sites? That seems to be the reasoning behind a new online alumni association for convicts and former convicts.

The British site, called Convicts Reunited, offers an online search to find old prison pals. So far there are about 200 registered users, but that number probably counts the curious as well as the convicted. Chat room topics range from wrongful convictions to prison food. The welcome page invites users to "share those old times again, or work together on your latest venture ... whether you're a fully fledged jailbird or a mear sic speeding fine holder."

Site owners claimed it was totally convict-run--till a newspaper accused them of impersonating the incarcerated, and the jig was up.