SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Jail inmates are getting scammed and they don't like it.
And now the sheriff of the Salt Lake City metro jail wants no part of it.
It all has to do with mugshots placed on websites or in trade papers.
Unified Police Department which oversees the mugs on its website no longer will distribute them publicly.
Jaime Mitchell is someone who knows her mugshot has gone viral.
And there's nothing she can do about it.
Michell who was convicted of a crime is not alone.
Thousands of mugshots across the country are springing up on the web or in specialty newspapers.
"I think its bogus that they make you pay $99 to have your picture removed and you pay the money and they still don't have it removed because there's so many companies out there posting these pictures," says Mitchell.
Websites and trade papers are making money off of these mug shots found on the websites of jail records.
Many of Utah's large county jails have mugshots available for anyone to see.
A young woman named Amanda who didn't want her last name used, has seen hers.
"I think it can be embarrassing to find yourself on busted (newspaper)," she says. "But at the same time you shouldn't commit the crime if you don't want it in there."
But the metro jail no longer will make their mugshots available for all to see.
And the websites and trade papers are the reason. Throughout the nation, class action lawsuits are being filed against these for profit companies.
"It's a shady thing to do," says Josh who didn't want to be identified. "But they found a niche and are preying on people who are already having a hard time."
Utah County already changed the mugshots found on its jail website.
The mugshots are so small no one can copy them without the picture become distorted.
"I think its great idea because it will enforce privacy and I'm for privacy," says Mitchell.
