Facebook profiles of prisoners may be banned after a proposed legislation from the NSW government.

Phil Costa, the Corrective Services Minister, said that he aims to have user profiles of prisoners taken off of the social networking Web site. It was earlier revealed that inmates of SuperMax, the prison where the worst criminals are kept, have an online presence on the Web site.

Friends and family of inmates are said to be managing the profiles, which helps prisoners to communicate with the outside world. The opposition admitted that it might be difficult to put laws in place against the online posts in spite of the embarrassment it may bring to the government and prison authorities.

The opposition called for an ''urgent audit of access to Facebook'' as it expresses concern over security arrangements at SuperMax. The group also proposed ''stringent screening of prisoners' photos, messages and other details''.

Corrective Services NSW would look into the release of sensitive information the prison, said a spokesman for Costa.

David Vaile, University of NSW's executive director for the cyberspace law and policy center, urged authorities to forge a working relationship with Web sites such as Facebook. He says that such measuress would be more effective than passing new laws against inappropriate online content.

''The way you put pressure on companies that you don't have direct legal power over is by having a good relationship ... and by being seen as measured and reasonable and only asking them to deal with the most extreme matters,'' Vaile said.