Patrick Irving

My annual letter to the Honorable Judge Steven Hippler, who sentenced me to 40 years in prison.

On October 05, 2015, the Honorable Judge Steven Hippler handed me a 15-to-40-year prison sentence for two count of arson. During my sentencing hearing, he said it wasn’t clear from what affliction I suffered and whether I was capable of responding to treatment. Starting in 2021, I began writing Hippler on an annual basis to … Continue reading “My annual letter to the Honorable Judge Steven Hippler, who sentenced me to 40 years in prison.”

All I want for Christmas is to have my face cancer removed and my nose restored to 3/4 its original splendor.

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION Resident Concern Form Resident: Patrick Irving IDOC Number: 82431 Institution, Housing Unit, & Cell: ISCI 13A-12B Date: 12/21/25 To: Health Services Administrator Russell Hill Issue/Concern: “I first reported a disturbing growth on my nose 1/8/24 during a routine physical. A biopsy performed 5/13/24 failed to confirm it was cancer. The provider … Continue reading “All I want for Christmas is to have my face cancer removed and my nose restored to 3/4 its original splendor.”

Patrick profiled by PEN America’s Incarcerated Writers Bureau, mentioned by People Magazine

It is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you some of the most dedicated writers working from within U.S. prisons today! I couldn’t imagined when I started this blog that I would be profiled among them by PEN America’s Incarcerated Writers Bureau. According to pen.org, [The IWB] “is a digital resource that will make professional … Continue reading “Patrick profiled by PEN America’s Incarcerated Writers Bureau, mentioned by People Magazine”

Behold! Cookies for Corrections is here!!

It’s that time of year again, folks! The 2025 Cookies for Corrections drive is wrapping up. And according to my favorite radio host, Mark Renick, the goal this year is to hand-deliver holiday warmth and cookies to at least 6,000 Idaho prisoners. It’s a logistical feat that rivals nearly everything the Romans accomplished! The cut-off … Continue reading “Behold! Cookies for Corrections is here!!”

The value of mentors in prison.

I’m learning skills that will help me after I leave here. [This article was originally published at the Prison Journalism Project] The day I was processed into prison 10 years ago was the lowest point in my life. After setting fire to two houses in a drug-induced psychosis, I had lost everything and fractured all of … Continue reading “The value of mentors in prison.”

Is your loved one serious about earning parole and succeeding up on release? Check out my two new favorite, free resources.

[Behold! I give you my testimonial, to bring light into your life and strengthen ongoing efforts in criminal justice reform!] A great man once tapped with his thumbs on a frustratingly expensive prison messaging device, “When confronting a bureaucratically driven machine designed to further break down broken people, it helps to clog the cogs with … Continue reading “Is your loved one serious about earning parole and succeeding up on release? Check out my two new favorite, free resources.”

Goodbye JPay, hello sexual misconduct of staff, more shady records refusals and another Mancuso feel-good.

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 … Continue reading “Goodbye JPay, hello sexual misconduct of staff, more shady records refusals and another Mancuso feel-good.”

Resident communications update/memo #24: Tablet funding, videograms, and ViaPath tablet deployment schedule.

[Sent to IDOC residents over JPay Sept. 10, 2025.] Tablet Funding: 1. This information will also be available during deployment. Please remember that Friends and Family cannot fund the tablet activities through ViaPath or GettingOut. Currently the two options for depositing funds are the Trust account or the IC Solutions Debit Account. 2. The monthly … Continue reading “Resident communications update/memo #24: Tablet funding, videograms, and ViaPath tablet deployment schedule.”

Why 3 Idaho prisoners donated their commissary funds to support the Idaho Foodbank.

When I was seven years old, I remember my mom driving my family to the foodbank in Sandpoint, Idaho. We were very poor and my mom is a woman who doesn’t like to ask for help. All five of us kids waited in the back of the truck as my mom went in through the … Continue reading “Why 3 Idaho prisoners donated their commissary funds to support the Idaho Foodbank.”

Medication alert for Idaho prisoners reliant on long-acting insulin.

[This message delivered over JPay to the Idaho Department of Correction resident population Aug. 29, 2025.] There is a shortage of long-acting insulin (like Lantus and Semglee) across the country. Because of this, you will be switched to a different type of insulin and follow a new schedule. The new insulin is called NPH. It … Continue reading “Medication alert for Idaho prisoners reliant on long-acting insulin.”