Patrick Irving

“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.”

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

Previous: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Aug. ’24 Welcome to the September issue 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, Sept. ’24”

Aww Snap! News (Print Edition) 9.14.24

Aww Snap! News is a Prison Dude production, paid for with a meager monthly allowance from The Prison Dude’s mom and dad. Our mission is to strengthen the information networks used by criminal justice researchers and writers–emphasis on those who work from incarceration–to better inform decisions surrounding public safety policies. You, too, can help. Getting … Continue reading “Aww Snap! News (Print Edition) 9.14.24”

Patrick’s Poetry Homework: Age 44

I am currently benefitting from an Idaho Prison Arts Collective poetry workshop led by Michael Richardson at the Idaho State Correctional Institution on Thursday mornings. I very much enjoy the workshop but have been struggling to set aside time for the homework. My assignment this week was to bring in three rough drafts for feedback. … Continue reading “Patrick’s Poetry Homework: Age 44”