Category: Dispatches

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!!”

In between prison fences, dogs get a second chance at life.

Spared from euthanasia, these pups patrol a strip of prison land in Idaho to keep people from escaping. By James Mancuso [This article was originally published at the Prison Journalism Project and appears here with author’s permission] Around nearly every prison is a fence topped with razor wire. Just beyond that fence is often another … Continue reading “In between prison fences, dogs get a second chance at life.”

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.”

Mission Impossible: Exposing Private Prison Failures at Saguaro Correctional Center

by David J. Meister Roughly an hour’s drive southeast of Phoenix, Arizona, in remote Pinal County, several sprawling complexes of concrete blocks and razor-wire-topped fences mar the desert landscape. One of them is the Saguaro Correctional Center (SCC) — a private prison facility operated by CoreCivic, the latest incarnation of the infamous Corrections Corporation of … Continue reading “Mission Impossible: Exposing Private Prison Failures at Saguaro Correctional Center”

A toss of oatmeal draws a feeding frenzy at this Idaho prison.

I enjoy watching the antics of the birds and rabbits that arrive for the feast. By James Mancuso [This article was originally published at the Prison Journalism Project and appears here with author’s permission] Every morning, I toss a large handful of dry oatmeal flakes onto the prison’s recreation yard to feed the animals. Some … Continue reading “A toss of oatmeal draws a feeding frenzy at this Idaho prison.”

A prison fund is supposed to benefit incarcerated people in Idaho. Has that changed?

The fund, which receives millions of dollars each year, used to provide things like gym equipment and religious materials. Those days are long gone. By Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun [This article was originally published at the Prison Journalism Project and appears here with author’s permission] In Idaho state prisons, a certain percentage of the cost of … Continue reading “A prison fund is supposed to benefit incarcerated people in Idaho. Has that changed?”

New tablet system falls well short of expectations.

Paid subscription service to free platform/app provides more buffering than content. By Dale Shackelford [This article was originally published at https://idahoprisonblog.quora.com and appears here with author’s permission] On 9/15/25, prisoners at the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) were issued new tablets with content provided by ICS/ViaPath (formerly GTL or GlobalTel Link). Since then, it has … Continue reading “New tablet system falls well short of expectations.”

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.”