Category: Dispatches

Multiple murder charges filed over death at Idaho contract prison.

Five men incarcerated at the Saguaro Correction Center — an Idaho contract prison in Eloy, Ariz. — have been charged with first-degree murder for the May 4, 2024 death of 46-year-old Anton Myklebust. Myklebust was one of roughly 860 men sent by Hawai’i to the CoreCivic facility as a result of the state’s prisons being … Continue reading “Multiple murder charges filed over death at Idaho contract prison.”

Sister of man slain in Idaho prison argues for government transparency.

By Hallie Warnock Johnson A shorter version of this story appeared in the Idaho Statesman on August 3rd, 2025. Recently, Moscow police released hundreds of unsealed documents related to the University of Idaho murders case, just hours after the sentencing. While disturbing to read, the public has a legal right to access such information. In … Continue reading “Sister of man slain in Idaho prison argues for government transparency.”

Jason Glasscock covers GettingOut fiasco in Wisconsin prisons.

By Jason R. Glascock, Racine Correctional Institution [Editor’s note: The Idaho Department of Correction is currently in the process of replacing its prison messaging and media provider, JPay, with GettingOut (formerly GTL). The agency’s residents and their loved ones are curious as to what to expect from the new service. Earlier this year we heard … Continue reading “Jason Glasscock covers GettingOut fiasco in Wisconsin prisons.”

James Mancuso covers Idaho beta test of Scandi-neato prison model.

The Idaho Department of Correction’s new Restoring Promise program has received plenty of local media coverage. But none from the nuanced perspective of a journalist embedded in the prison where the program is currently running. For information you can trust, check out James Mancuso’s latest Prison Journalism Project article, “The Progressive Scandinavian Prison Model Comes … Continue reading “James Mancuso covers Idaho beta test of Scandi-neato prison model.”

Idaho prison writer George Thornock shares from his experience as a prison hospice worker.

In the Prison Journalism Project article “The Long Walk Back to My Cell After Watching My Friend Die,” George Thornock brings awareness to hospice work in Idaho prisons. Thornock is one of my closest, most trusted friends in prison. I remember finding him hours after the events in the article took place, attempting to process … Continue reading “Idaho prison writer George Thornock shares from his experience as a prison hospice worker.”

Did your loved one disappeared into Idaho’s prison system?

August 3, 2025 Today, while delivering an orientation to IDOC’s newest male arrivals, it was brought to my attention that they are currently experiencing issues with the resident phone and messaging system. The men I spoke to are being processed through the Reception and Diagnostic Unit at the Idaho State Correctional Institution. It is possible that … Continue reading “Did your loved one disappeared into Idaho’s prison system?”

Hey IDOC Central Office, how about sending some Resident Withdrawal Forms to ISCI?

6.20.25 Dear Central Office staff, Residents of Idaho State Correctional Institution Unit 14 have now been unable to obtain withdrawal request forms for multiple weeks in a row. According to our unit staff, the forms are out of stock and will show up whenever they show up. Because many of us rely on these forms … Continue reading “Hey IDOC Central Office, how about sending some Resident Withdrawal Forms to ISCI?”

“What We Saw in Those Images From the El Salvador Mega Prison” — A PJP collab.

PJP writers react to the pictures of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem standing in front of men packed tightly together in CECOT, the Central American nation’s notorious prison. by Daniel X. Cohen, Troy Chapman, Jeffery Shockley, Patrick Irving, Cesar Hernandez, Angelo Sedillo, Jamie Silvonek, Derek LeCompte and Justin Slavinski [This work first appeared on Prison Journalism … Continue reading ““What We Saw in Those Images From the El Salvador Mega Prison” — A PJP collab.”

“The Frightening Prospect of Being Sent to Prison in Another Country” — a Prison Journalism Project collaboration.

PJP writers react to Trump’s proposal to send incarcerated U.S. citizens to the infamous mega-prison in El Salvador. by Patrick Irving, Lucretia Stone, Cesar Hernandez, Angelo Sedillo, James Mancuso and Jamie Silvonek [This article first appeared on Prison Journalism Project.] In the early months of his second term, President Donald Trump has already made dramatic changes to the … Continue reading ““The Frightening Prospect of Being Sent to Prison in Another Country” — a Prison Journalism Project collaboration.”

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.”