Patrick Irving

Ending the JPay Era with more adjustments to my newsfeed.

What’s the deal with my monthly First Amend This! newsletter? An inquiring mind recently messaged me over JPay to ask. [T]he reason that I haven’t published anything for December and January is that I began questioning the overall utility of my newsletter while struggling to keep up with it. It’s actually quite rare that I … Continue reading “Ending the JPay Era with more adjustments to my newsfeed.”

‘IDOC Resident Communications Update/Memo #2’ and COVID-19 ‘mortality switch extension’ memo.

[Posted to my dayroom 2.12.25. Link to IDOC memo post here ] We are still planning the transition from JPay tablets to ViaPath in May 2025. Many residents are asking if they can still use the old tablets. Yes, you can still use them. The stuff you downloaded can be used until the tablet starts … Continue reading “‘IDOC Resident Communications Update/Memo #2’ and COVID-19 ‘mortality switch extension’ memo.”

IDOC refuses public records request for winning proposal to replace JPay services, releases opaque memo.

The IDOC last month refused my public records request for the winning proposal to replace JPay services. Per Idaho Code, claims the department, trade secret information contained within the proposal exempts it from public disclosure. In the past, the IDOC has filled my requests for similar proposals and contracts with sensitive information redacted. It’s only … Continue reading “IDOC refuses public records request for winning proposal to replace JPay services, releases opaque memo.”

“How To Write an Effective Prison Grievance” by David Meister, author of “Meister Manual for Prisoners’ Lawsuits”

[Published here with the author’s permission. For more of Meister’s work, visit wynwordpress.com] How to Write an Effective Prison Grievance by David Meister, author of MEISTER MANUAL For Prisoners’ Lawsuits. A grievance—a complicated complaint process imposed on incarcerated individuals who depend absolutely on their captors for even the most basic of life’s necessities. (Jails, prisons, … Continue reading ““How To Write an Effective Prison Grievance” by David Meister, author of “Meister Manual for Prisoners’ Lawsuits””

Many thanks to Dodds Hayden, Vice Chair for the Idaho Board of Correction.

Hayden Beverage Corp. 2910 East Amity Rd. Boise, ID 83716 12.17.24 Dear Mr. Hayden, Three years ago I wrote you from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution to thank you for personally sponsoring an entire Boise State University humanities class at the Idaho State Correctional Institution. Today I write you as a student who recently completed … Continue reading “Many thanks to Dodds Hayden, Vice Chair for the Idaho Board of Correction.”

Holiday Prison Art: Merry Christmas from Tim Yates (curated by Patrick Irving).

While surviving this year’s holiday season in one of the Idaho State Correctional Institution’s most disappointing and obnoxious open dorms, I met 61-year-old artist Tim Yates, and immediately we became friends. Tim tells me that prior to drawing this card, he’d never been paid for his artwork. But in 2022, he says, after filling in … Continue reading “Holiday Prison Art: Merry Christmas from Tim Yates (curated by Patrick Irving).”

First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Nov. ’24

Previous: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Oct. ’24 Welcome to the November edition of First Amend This! This publication provides an insider look at issues affecting the Idaho Department of Correction community. If you wish to assist this effort, share the link, copy and paste, or print and send this issue to another. Loved … Continue reading “First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Nov. ’24”

Notice of Petition and Intent to Grant Payment for Attorneys Fees in Class Action [Hepatitis C] Lawsuit Against Idaho Corrections

Pulled from a memo posted around the Idaho State Correctional Institution Nov. 15, 2024. IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF IDAHO __________________________________________ Reuben Cortes, Pete Kimball Roberts, et al., Plaintiffs v. Josh Tewalt, et al., Defendants __________________________________________ Case No. 1:18-CV-00001-BLW Notice of Petition for Payment of Attorney Fees and Court’s Intent … Continue reading “Notice of Petition and Intent to Grant Payment for Attorneys Fees in Class Action [Hepatitis C] Lawsuit Against Idaho Corrections”

First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Oct. ’24

Previous: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Sept. ’24 Welcome to the October edition of First Amend This! This publication provides an insider look at issues affecting the Idaho Department of Correction community. If you wish to assist this effort, share the link, copy and paste, or print and send this issue to another. Loved … Continue reading “First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Oct. ’24”

What does prison teach prisoners about politics? Kashawn Taylor, Caesar Hernandez and Patrick Irving report.

Hey folks, Proud Prison Journalism Project contributor here! Check out my newest collaboration with Kashawn Taylor and Cesar Hernandez: “What Prison Has Taught Us About Politics” at prisonjournalismproject.com Also–if you’ve found your way to this page as a supporter of Kashawn or Cesar, please pass on to them my love and appreciation for their contributions … Continue reading “What does prison teach prisoners about politics? Kashawn Taylor, Caesar Hernandez and Patrick Irving report.”