The time has finally come. The IDOC has delivered notice that all JPay services will be terminated in Idaho prisons Oct. 20.
Here’s where I’d normally detail the agency’s history with JPay and the company’s infuriating behaviors. Unfortunately, the IDOC’s new GettingOut messaging service limits me to 1500 characters per message. And that’s just not enough runway for my diligent indignation to take flight. Especially when the timing corresponds to an explosive six-part series by InvestigateWest that dives into claims of sexual abuse in Idaho prisons.
[Asking my dad and publisher to provide links to the series here.]
Roughly 700 characters left . . .
Fellow Prison Journalism Project contributor Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun published the findings from his months-long inquiry into a prison fund filled through prisoner purchases and intended to enrich the lives of prisoners. (Spoiler: the agency refused his public records request for related financial records.) He has since been moved from his comfortable single-man cell to the chaotic, open dorm illustrated here.
My friend and cafeteria companion, James Mancuso, (also a PJP contributor), published an article this month about the connections he’s made with the critters outside of our housing unit.
And that leaves the industrious David Shackelford and his quest for accountability–be sure to check out his Idaho Prison Blog here!