Category: Dispatches

Mark Renick’s radio interview w/new IDOC Director Bree Derrick.

Former Idaho Maximum Security Institution resident Mark Renick on Saturday broadcast his most recent interview with new Idaho department of Correction director Bree Derrick. Derrick, who was promoted from her former position of deputy director, informs Renick’s audience of her philosophy on corrections, updates on prison expansion and how the agency’s Free2Succeed community mentor program … Continue reading “Mark Renick’s radio interview w/new IDOC Director Bree Derrick.”

Incarcerated seniors have been all but forgotten. Peer caregiving offers a potential solution.

In my most recent Prison Journalism Project op-ed, “Who should care for the elderly in prison?”, I outline the legislative changes necessary to achieve an acceptable level of safety for our country’s aging prison population. I wrote the piece as a follow-up to the report I filed last year with my local Area Agency on … Continue reading “Incarcerated seniors have been all but forgotten. Peer caregiving offers a potential solution.”

James Mancuso covers private Ariz. prison housing Hawai’i’s forgotten people.

When James Mancuso returned from Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz. to finish serving his time in Kuna, Idaho, he keistered back with him a painfully insightful story: How after spending years dumping its people into a private, mainland prison, Hawai’i is now paying Hills Have Eyes Inc. (aka CoreCivic) to punish them much more … Continue reading “James Mancuso covers private Ariz. prison housing Hawai’i’s forgotten people.”

ViaPath/GettingOut Deployment Schedule, Pricing and Packages for Idaho Prisons.

[Sent over JPay to IDOC residents 4.30.25] Resident Communications Update/Memo #13 Topic: Deployment Schedule, Pricing and Packages Deployment Schedule – We have received the deployment schedule. These dates are confirmed, barring any unforeseen circumstances that would cause a delay. Trainings for residents will occur on the deployment date. Saguaro — Thursday, May 15th MVTC — … Continue reading “ViaPath/GettingOut Deployment Schedule, Pricing and Packages for Idaho Prisons.”

Idaho prison writer James Mancuso covers Idaho Correctional Industries.

In an article published by Prison Journalism Project (PJP), Idaho prison writer James Mancuso describes how he and others are benefitting from apprenticeships made available through Idaho Correctional Industries (ICI). His article, “Why Prisons Should Offer More Job Training Programs,” provides a positive outlook on workforce development in Idaho corrections and considers how businesses like … Continue reading “Idaho prison writer James Mancuso covers Idaho Correctional Industries.”

Did IDOC get scammed for $1.8M?

It’s coming up on a year since the IDOC denied my public records request for all legal agreements, statements of work and internal PowerPoint presentations surrounding its contract to equip Idaho prisoners with wearable monitoring technologies. I submitted the request after Idaho State Correctional Institution administrators prepared myself and other residents to dawn wearable tracking … Continue reading “Did IDOC get scammed for $1.8M?”

Resident Communications Update/Memo #12 (on the switch from JPay to Viapath)

[Sent from IDOC to its residents over JPay April 23, 2025] Topic: Pricing and Packages, Mortality Lock, Deployment Schedule Pricing and Packages — We have come to an agreement on pricing and more entertainment options in the form of a premium profile, two music subscriptions, and a TV subscription. Once these are finalized in writing, we … Continue reading “Resident Communications Update/Memo #12 (on the switch from JPay to Viapath)”

IDOC faces allegations of racketeering, theft and bad faith negotiations, miraculously remembers JPay mortality switch.

Documents1,2 obtained through a public records request to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office show Idaho prisoners gearing up for a lawsuit against the State of Idaho and prison officials. In nearly identical tort claims (notifications of legal intent), Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) residents Richard Hammond and Andrew Wolf claim that department employees acted … Continue reading “IDOC faces allegations of racketeering, theft and bad faith negotiations, miraculously remembers JPay mortality switch.”

Congratulations Director Bree Derrick! Farewell Josh Tewalt!

The Office of the Governor yesterday announced a change in leadership at the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC). Former agency director Josh Tewalt left to join the private sector. His replacement, Bree Derrick, was promoted from her position as the department’s deputy director. Over the last five years, I have attentively watched Tewalt and Derrick … Continue reading “Congratulations Director Bree Derrick! Farewell Josh Tewalt!”

Must read: Alex Friedmann’s wind-breaking report, “The Art of the Prison Fart”

Kudos to my fellow Prison Journalism Project contributor Alex Friedmann for his latest gas of an article. In “The Art of the Prison Fart,” Friedmann avoids the long-winds of showmanship by cutting straight through the pants of the truth and lighting up prison’s most precarious battlefield with a blue dart of beautiful reporting. Prison writers … Continue reading “Must read: Alex Friedmann’s wind-breaking report, “The Art of the Prison Fart””