Updates

Previous: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, June ’23

Welcome to the July 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 ones are encouraged to join the Idaho Inmate Family Support Group (IIFSG) on Facebook or contact the group’s admins at idahoinmate@gmail.com.

Looking to help improve Idaho’s criminal justice system? We ask that you contact Erica Marshall with the Idaho Justice Project. The Idaho Justice Project works to bring the voices of people impacted by the criminal justice system to the legislative table to work on solutions.

***

EDITOR’S NOTE

The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beginning of a new food service menu that is mysteriously absent of tears…

Let’s First Amend This!

***

HOW SHOULD IDAHO HANDLE ITS $218M OPIOID SETTLEMENT?

In a series of opinion pieces published in the Idaho Statesman, Scott McIntosh explores potential applications for Idaho’s $218 million share of the $54 billion national opioid settlement. Multiple opioid manufacturers and distributors have been ordered by the courts to pay for the harmful practices they used to sell their deadly products.

(McIntosh’s series starts here: “Millions of Dollars Coming to Fight Opioid Epidemic. Where Is the Money Going?“)

Idaho’s Office of the Attorney General website states that the funds will be distributed in accordance with the Opioid Settlement Intrastate Allocation Agreement over the course of 18 years. The agreement includes 44 counties, 24 cities, 7 regional health districts, and an unspecified number hospital, fire and school districts.

In a podcast with Logan Finney from Idaho Public Television, Court administrator Sara Omundson, Director of Health and Welfare Dave Jeppsen, and Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Guyon encourage those closest to the crisis to visit BehavioralHealthCouncil.idaho.gov or email IBHC.dhw.idaho.gov, to involve themselves in recommending how the settlement should be used.

Additional sources: www.ag.idaho.gov. Logan Finney, “Help Idaho Address the Opioid Crisis,” Idaho Reports.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY ONE BREAKFAST (MAINLINE)

[Serving sizes may vary by gender.]
______________________________
1 pc — Chuckwagon patty
1 cup — Farina
8 oz. — Milk 1%
3 oz. — Biscuit
.75 oz. — Country breakfast gravy
2 pckt — Sugar
8 oz. — Vitamin beverage
————————————————

Source: IDOC Food Service Menu 7.1

***

PRISON SERVICE PROVIDERS PISS IN LOCAL PRESS POOL

While interviewing subjects for his series on how Idaho should spend its portion of the national opioid settlement, Scott McIntosh found himself subjected to the same unhealthy stressors that private corporations, along with sheriffs and prison officials, have for years profited from imposing upon incarcerated persons and their loved ones.

See: Scott McIntosh, “Idaho Prisoners and Their Families Get Ripped Off Just for Making a Phone Call,” Idaho Statesman.

***

DEATH OF IMSI RESIDENT

Kaitlyn Hart with East Idaho News covers the story of Junior Alex Garcia, 26, who passed away in the hospital on June 18th following a violent incident at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

See: Kaitlyn Hart, “Prison Inmate Beaten to Death was from Idaho Falls,” EastIdahoNews.com

***

WEEK ONE, DAY ONE LUNCH (MAINLINE)

[Serving sizes may vary by gender.]

______________________________
1.5 oz. — Peanut butter
.5 oz. — Jelly
2 oz. — Wholegrain bread
1 — Fresh fruit/banana
1 — Weekend muffin
————————————————

Source: IDOC Food Service Menu 7.1

***

IDOC’S PROGRESS IN PREPPING TO LEAD-PEPPER ITS CLIENTS

As the supplier-induced drought of lethal injection drugs continues, the firing squad has once again become legal as a secondary option for conducting executions in the desert south of Boise.

Angela Kerndl with Boise’s CBS2 News covers the Department’s progress on preparing for the upcoming Days of Reckoning:

Idaho Department of Correction officials say it’s reviewing policies from other jurisdictions to develop an understanding of what’s needed for the infrastructure. The policies and procedures they develop will serve as the foundation for the design of a facility, a spokesperson for IDOC said.

The Florida-based ammo maker Liberty Ammunition has reportedly reached out to the IDOC with an offer to sponsor upcoming executions with free ammunition.

With the editorial board for Idaho Statesman questioning how fiscally conservative it was of the Idaho Legislature to allot $750,000 for the Department to fortify a venue for the firing squad to operate, Kerndl is reporting that South Carolina has succeeded in staging theirs for the paltry comparative sum of $53,000–but she leaves it unclear in her coverage whether corporate sponsorships helped offset the cost.

Sources: Angela Kerndl, “Where is IDOC at in Establishing a Firing Squad Facility?” IdahoNews.com. Chris Eger, “Ammo Maker Offers Donation for Idaho Firing Squads,” Guns.com. Editorial Board, “Let’s Be Honest About the Death Penalty in Idaho: Revenge Killing Despite the Cost,” Idaho Statesman.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY ONE DINNER (MAINLINE)

[Serving sizes may vary by gender.]

______________________________
3 oz. — Chicken Filet
2 oz. — Wholegrain Bread
1 slice — Lettuce
1/2 cup — Three Bean Salad
1/2 cup — Pineapple Slaw
.5 oz. — Cheese
1 oz. — Ham
1 piece — Apple Spice Cake
8 oz. — Vitamin Beverage
1 pkt — Mayonnaise
1 pkt — Mustard
————————————————

Source: IDOC Food Service Menu 7.1

***

WHY DEFENSE LAWYERS IN IDAHO’S CRAZIEST CRIMINAL CASES ARE BARRED FROM PRESENTING INSANITY AS A DEFENSE

Idaho is one of four states –along with Montana, Utah and Kansas– that prohibit criminal lawyers from presenting insanity as a defense, regardless of their clients’ capacity to understand their crimes or commit them with intent.

Scott McIntosh, in another opinion piece for Idaho Statesman, reports that former Idaho attorney general David Leroy explained during a telephone interview “that the insanity defense was being abused and overused, and defense and prosecuting attorneys were hiring their own psychiatrists to prove or disprove whether mental illness played a part in crimes, leading to trials that became expensive spectacles.”

Solitary Watch, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that reports as a public watchdog on the abuses experienced within solitary confinement, shares in a 2022 fact sheet that “a 2014 Treatment Advocacy Center report found that more than 350,000 individuals with severe mental illnesses were being held in U.S. prisons and jails in 2012, while only 35,000 were patients in state psychiatric hospitals.”

Despite the massive amount of mentally ill individuals found having to defend themselves in American courts, Boise attorney Scott McKay, who has served on the Judicial Fairness Committee of the Idaho State Bar and the board of directors for the Federal Defender Services of Idaho, cited studies that show roughly 1 percent of felony defendants attempt to present insanity as a defense. “And of those,” writes McIntosh, “only about a quarter are successful.”

Source: Scott McIntosh, “Kohberger, Vallow Daybell Cases Can’t Include Insanity Defense In Idaho,” Idaho Statesman. Sara Rain Tree, The Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement (Fact Sheet #3), solitarywatch.org.

***

NEW SICI UNIT A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The new $14 million, 152-person men’s dorm at the Southern Idaho Correctional Institution, with its dimming lights, bigger windows and amenities to cook and do laundry, provides residents a head start in re-acclimating to the minutiae of daily living.

View video supplied by the IDOC here.

Abby Davis with Boise’s KTVB News reports that Director Josh Tewalt has expressed an interest in continuing to update other minimum-security units and is hoping to one day build a similar dorm for women.

Source: Abby Davis, “Idaho Department of Correction Reimagines Housing with a New Dorm,” KTVB7.com

***

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING PRISONERS FOR REENTRY

IDOC Spokesperson Jeff Ray informed the Idaho Capital Sun last month that 98% of Idaho prisoners are expected to be released from incarceration.

Most–but not all–will have qualified while in prison for mental health, addiction and behavioral treatment programs, educational opportunities, even vocational training.

Regardless of the efforts they put forth during their  incarceration, many will struggle upon release to find housing, transportation and a legal, livable wage.

In the interest of public safety, the IDOC is now working with other agencies and a variety of organizations to increase the rate of success for individuals returning from incarceration.

Mia Maldonado with the Idaho Capital Sun covers the story: “Idaho Nonprofit and State Programs Are Key to Reentry Process, Former Prisoners Say.”

***

IDOC ASSUMES CONTROL OF MEN’S CAPP PROGRAM

The men’s Correctional Alternative Placement Program (CAPP) is no longer being operated by Management Training Corporation (MTC), the Utah-based company that runs prisons for a profit in seven states.

CAPP has been used since 2010 to provide an unknown portion of men who violate parole with additional rehabilitative programming in the 432-bed facility formerly known as the CAPP building, now the Mountain View Transformation Center.

Troy Oppie with Boise State Public Radio reports that Director Josh Tewalt projected last year in a committee meeting that the state will save roughly $800,000 annually by cutting the company out of its prison operations.

Source: Troy Oppie, “Idaho Department of Correction Poised to Take Over Inmate Reentry Program,” Boise State Public Radio News.

***

IMSI RESIDENT INVITED TO SPEAK TO A PRISONAND PUNISHMENT CLASS HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD

It’s not often that residents of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution are invited to participate in discussions with classrooms abroad. But when Instructor Henny Hearn with Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg reached out to resident Patrick Irving with a request that he speak to her class, the staff at Central Office and IMSI worked together to make the arrangements.

Read more: “IDOC Facilitates Session Between IMSI Resident and Students of Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg”
***

CHANGES IN VISITATION AT ISCI

To increase the amount of monthly visits that residents of the Idaho State Correctional Institution are allowed to receive, the facility has been divided into an A side and a B side, with each side having access to the visiting room on a 3 to 2 rotation.

Residents are allowed to schedule one visiting slot a day during the days that they are eligible: 08:30, 11:00, 13:00.

View the Department’s website for updates and cancellations.

***

GOOD NEWS FOR STAFF

The Department has announced that over the next 12 months it will be investing $14.5 million into merit and equity CECs (Change in Employee Compensation).

Security staff can expect to receive a roughly 10% pay increase; non-security staff can expect, on average, an 8% increase.

Source: Idaho Department of Correction on Facebook

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With six years of episodes available for streaming, Mark Renick hosts Victory Over Sin on Boise’s KBXL 94.1FM, Saturdays at 12:30 pm. The program, funded by an advocacy arm of https://www.svdpid.org, shares what it’s like to live incarcerated in Idaho and then come out of incarceration to live on parole.

6.3.23. Erin Aboud, an advocate for recovery, joins Renick to discuss her experience with recovery, the criminal justice system and how she is now sharing her story to help change the lives of others.

Contact Mr. Renick at 208-477-1006 or visit https://www.svdpid.org for more information on reentry resources in Southern Idaho.

***

RECENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED

Statewide– 33 members of Post Academy 92; Ofc. Greg Martin with the Top of Class Award, Ofc. Steven Courtney with the Tactical Edge Award, Sgt. Chris Ackerman with the Top Instructor Award.

District 4 — Probation & Parole Ofc. Stephen Harding for 10 years of service; Section Supervisor Seth Radimer for 15 years of service.

District 5 — Probation & Parole Ofc. Conley Hyde as employee of the quarter.

IMSI — Ofc. Joshua Dykstra as employee of the quarter.

SICI- Branden Nevers for 25 years of service; HVAC foremen Chris Baxter for 10 years of service.

PWCC– Lt. Ryan Preston and clinical supervisor Amber Mickelsen for 10 years of service.

Source: Idaho Department of Correction on Facebook

***

RESOURCES FOR THE INCARCERATED

Incarcerated writers looking to earn a little extra coin may submit at no cost to the Dogwood Literary Awards for a chance to win one of three $1,000 prizes and publication in Dogwood.

Prizes are issued annually for a poem (submit up to three totalling no more than 10 pages), short story and essay (submit no more than 22 pages for either).

Dogwood
Literary Awards
English Department
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 254-4000, ext. 2565
dogwoodliterary.wordpress.com

Source: Poets & Writers Magazine (July/August ’23)

***

INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Resident Concern Form

Date: 6-9-23
To: Chief of Prisons Chad Page
From: Patrick Irving 82431

Please consider reminding the resident population prior to executions that mental health resources are available to anyone who needs them. Some of us have a hard time processing the media coverage. Thank you.

***

SUGGESTION BOX

If we’re not going to address the lack of ventilation and cooling at IMSI, the facility whose residents spend the most time in their cells, then how about we at least revise all applicable disciplinary policies to forbid staff from removing residents’ personal fans during summer months?

***

Thanks for reading, everybody. Don’t forget to subscribe for free and leave your questions in the comments.

Shout out to St. Rose Peace & Justice in Perrysburg!

“10 Feet Down”
— NF/Ruelle

Next: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, Aug. ’23

[See also: IDOC Facilitates Session Between IMSI Resident and Students of Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg]

Hi everyone! Thanks again for including me in your studies.

[Narrating now in third-person.]

Patrick Irving: 43-years old. 11.5 years spent incarcerated, 7 years on supervision.

Currently residing at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, a roughly 535-bed facility that opened in 1989 to confine Idaho’s most disruptive prisoners.

Involved with the criminal justice system off and on since childhood, now serving a 15-to-40 year sentence for 2 counts of arson. (Previously convicted as an adult for trafficking marijuana.)

Has been incarcerated in a range of facilities, including a short-term juvenile facility, privately operated and state-operated mental health facilities, municipal and private jails (short-term), multiple prisons — some of which were operated for a profit by private corporations.

Has also experienced community supervision as a juvenile and adult.

Patrick has his struggles, some of which he has managed to creatively capture and share through bookofirving82431.com.

See: Hey ChatGPT, Am I A Bad Influence?
See: Book of Irving Oddcast, No. 2

During his arrest and presentence investigation:

He maintained that he was a homeless schizophrenic because he felt it the least consequential explanation that he could offer for his behavior. The truth involved a substantial inventory of illicit chemicals and some very questionable online activities.

Pre-sentence investigations and pre-parole hearing investigations:

Per the Violent Risk Assessment Guide that Idaho uses to assess criminal offenders, admission of childhood/sexual abuse, drug use or mental health issues are considered against criminal offenders, adding to their risk level.

Representation: Tucker Vs. Idaho is an ongoing case concerning Idaho’s ability to provide adequate public representation to individuals defending themselves in criminal courts

***

Idaho became a state in 1890.

• • • The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) is an agency of the State of Idaho.
    • 14 facilities throughout the state of Idaho–9 prisons, five community reentry centers — contracts one out-of-state prison in Arizona

Idaho prisons hold approximately 8,000 individuals. Due to overflow, we also frequently house prisoners out-of-state.

A total of 98% of Idaho prisoners are expected to return to their respective communities.

Other interesting facts:

• • • Territorial legislature designated Idaho City and Lewiston jails as territorial prisons in 1864
    • During the 8 years the jails served the territory, they housed approximately 100 inmates
    • Old State Pen opened 1872-1973
      • Closed after riot over conditions, several structures burned
    • ISCI opened 1972 in the desert south of Idaho’s capital, Boise
      • Radar station and mental health hospital were later converted into prison
      • More facilities followed

***

Patrick forgot to mention that Karl J. Friston kindly responded to his letters, including in his response several academic papers related to Friston’s Free Energy Principle.

Patrick applied his understanding of Friston’s work to his own situation. He and Karl have since exchanged a few letters.

See: Battle for Dish Soap at Eagle Pass Correctional Facility
See: Violations of Texas Minimum Jail Standards
See: Book of Irving 82431 (Sections 1-4)
See: Patrick Published In the New York Times

***

IDOC Citizen Centric Report Fiscal Year (FY) 2020/ Community Population Report ’21

People supervised on probation or parole:

As of June 6, 2020 — 17,403 people (4,791 female/ 12,612 male. No reference of “other”.)

In FY21 — IDOC began rolling out Connection and Intervention Stations (CIS), ran by the same for-profit entity through which the IDOC contracted the two private prisons Patrick experienced in Texas.

CIS are intended to serve to two populations: 1) people who are higher risk and newly sentenced to probation, and 2) people who are on supervision and struggling to comply with the conditions of supervision.

CIS clients receive additional case management, programming and resource referrals.

***

In regards to general relations between staff and residents: Patrick was informed by fellow residents upon arriving to his current facility that it is best to consider the staff through the same lens one does a referee.

***

Idaho is experiencing a general shift in correctional culture:

• • • Now applying more dynamic approaches to reducing redivism
    • Public-facing databases, pre-prosecution diversion programs, trauma intervention services, vocational and educational opportunities
    • Enlisting the help of community volunteers and organizations
    • Current director and deputy director bring unique experience

But–

• • • We are left to work with old buildings, policies based on old understandings, high rate of employee turnover, prison understaffing
    • Lack of resources forces DOC to prioritize the treatment of some over others
    • Budget constraints require creativity –> creates opportunities for prison profiteers
    • Prison profiteers place stress on prisoners and their support systems

***

Concerning realtime factors:

• • • Medicaid changes — Tens of thousands of people recently dropped from their health care assistance.
    • Fentanyl

***

Patrick understands it as his responsibility to, as summed up in “How to Do Good After Prison” by Michael Jackson:

• • • Understand and not depreciate the seriousness of his crimes
    • Make efforts to observe the rules of the institution
    • Commit to leaving prison a better, more capable person
    • Independently accomplish real and meaningful progression
    • Learn to exercise common sense, good decision-making and self-motivation, intelligence, toughness, determination
    • Contribute to the rehabilitation and the well being of others

Factors expected to affect his release:

• • • Cost of supervision
    • Restitution
    • Hurdles with housing, employment, transportation, health care
    • Access to resources
    • Level of peer support and perceived personal value

***

Patrick believes that we should approach public safety and harm reduction by:

• • • Targeting supportive services at high-risk demographics
    • Providing prisoners with betterment opportunities and treatment options from the time they enter prisons, don’t wait until months prior to their release
    • Considering a variety of methods–not just those that are scientifically backed
    • Better utilizing our justice-impacted population as a resource

And reconsider:

• • • Sentencing structures
      • Mandatory minimums
      • Life sentences, fixed sentences
    • Fees that target families and support networks
    • Representation (Tucker vs. Idaho)
    • indeterminate sentences stress support networks

***

RESOURCES

1) Journalism–Incarcerated contributors collect, interpret and distribute helpful data:

• • • Prison Journalism Project
    • PEN America
    • Prison Legal News
    • Criminal Legal News
    • SolitaryWatch.org
    • The Marshall Project
    • College Inside

In an interview with Charlotte West of College Inside, Napoleon Wells, a clinical Psychologist that specializes in anxiety and trauma disorders for the Department of Veterans Affairs, discussed the “The ‘Unavoidable’ Trauma of Prison.”

2) Leadership training

Just Leadership USA:

• • • The only national nonprofit organization founded and ran by formerly incarcerated individuals
    • Provides leadership training to the formerly incarcerated

3) Reentry
National Reentry Resource Center.
FairShake Reentry Resource Center
St. Vincent de Paul of Idaho

4) National Activist Directory

• • • Prison Activist Resource Center
      — provides a wide range of resources and informational sources to incarcerated people and their advocates

5) Idaho

• • • Idaho Prison Arts Collective 
    • Idaho Prison Project
    • Idaho Justice Project
    • St. Vincent de Paul of Idaho
    • Idaho Department of Correction

***

Questions that Patrick wanted to ask but rambled for too long to get to:

Do they have private prisons in Germany?

Are German corporations permitted to capitalize off of German prisoners?

Does Germany have nonprofit corporations similar to those found in the U.S.?

What part do community organizations play in the reentry process?

Follow-up information:

Patrick Irving 82431
IMSI
PO BOX 51
Boise, ID 83707

bookofirving82431.com
patrick@bookofirving82431.com
Direct messaging via JPay.com

It’s not often that residents of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) are invited to participate in discussions with classrooms abroad.

But when instructor Henny Hearn with Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg invited me to present to her Prison and Punishment class my experiences with Idaho’s criminal justice system, the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) kindly made the arrangements.

Its the second time the IDOC has arranged for me to Zoom in on an academic function and share with the audience my carceral experiences.

In 2021, along with Chris Shanahan, then a resident of the Southern Idaho Correctional Institution, I spoke at the 2021 University of Idaho Video Law Symposium on Mass Incarceration. Our appearances were arranged through then-legal director of ACLU-Idaho, Ritchie Eppink, who months earlier had also arranged for Shanahan and I to submit essays that would later be published by the Idaho Law Review.

Eppink informed me in a visit leading up to the symposium that IDOC Director Josh Tewalt had personally approved us to speak.

Because I, at the time, was housed in administrative segregation, a restricted housing unit built for long-term isolation, and also because for much of the year leading up the symposium I had been publishing my work from a place of deep frustration, I recognized the director’s decision to approve my appearance as an act both extremely bold and remarkable.

I remember having no more than a few days to prepare a fifteen-minute presentation for what I was told would be a widespread audience of students, lawyers, judges and advocates.

It was unnerving, to say the least, how I unraveled before them all under the long-lasting effects of administrative segregation.

When, on January 25, Hearn introduced herself to me over JPay, the prison messaging app used by Idaho prisons, she informed me that she was in attendance at the video law symposium, and that my talk left a lasting impact–one that she would appreciate me sharing with her class.

Her message arrived during one of the many weeks that I have found myself questioning the strength of my efforts–those I have made for the last five years, on behalf of myself and others, to usher into the free world the experience of incarceration.

1.25.23

Hi Henny,

Thank you for reaching out! I was thinking of that symposium speech just the other day, wondering whether its reach has been exhausted–and so your timing now strikes me as a perfect reminder of how a person’s previous efforts are never out of play...

From late January until June, Hearn and I communicated through a JPay-email relay, exchanging background information and updates with the help of my father, and forwarding our mutual questions through IMSI Warden Tim Richardson and the folks at Central Office, where all of the biggest IDOC decisions are made.

It was through my communications with Hearn that I learned Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg was founded in Bavaria in 1743. It is considered one of Germany’s top universities and it has also been ranked one of the most innovative universities in the world.

I also learned from Hearn that she originated in Pocatello, a small city that sits just a few hours east of Boise, the city that I call home . After graduating from the University of Montana, she says, she moved to Erlangen, Germany to pursue her master’s degree in an interdisciplinary program focused on social sciences.

She is now pursuing her PhD at the Institute of Sociology under the chair for Social and Cultural Anthropology.

Our classroom discussion took place on June 19 over Zoom. For an hour and forty-five minutes, from the IMSI courtroom, I once again rattled into a basket of professional listeners all the loose change from my brain.

Though I was able to deliver my speech in forward-facing restraints, a week of horrific events at my facility required the cuffs be rotated to behind my back after our session had ended–to reduce the perceived level of threat that I posed while being walked back to my cell.

The conversation during my escort home remained light and encouraging. Correctional Officer Taylor [spelling unchecked], who also supervised the presentation, suggested that I seek out, when I can, community college classes to help me work through some of the challenges that I struggle through while speaking publicly.

As an individual included in the 98%^* of IDOC residents expected to one day be released from prison, I hope for nothing more than the opportunity to take him up on his advice.

Many thanks to the IDOC–IMSI staff in particular–Instructor Hearn and her class for providing me with an opportunity to share my experiences with our criminal justice system.

I would encourage others DOCs and their community partners to observe the collaborations taking place behind prison doors in Idaho, and to explore in open forums ways that they might do the same.

^* IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray tells the Idaho Capital Sun in Mia Maldonado’s article “Idaho Nonprofit and State Programs Are Key to Reentry Process, Former Prisoners Say.”

See also: Notes From 6.19.23 Discussion With Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nüremberg Students

“Forlorn Hope” was the title of the first American newspaper published by an incarcerated person. Since that day on March 24, 1800, over 700 periodicals have been published by U.S. prisoners, providing a unique look behind the abounding ominous walls that we’ve erected across the nation.

Thanks to an amazing collaboration facilitated by Reveal Digital and the not-for-profit organization ITHAKA, many of these publications, including my First Amend This! newsletter, can now be accessed through the academic database JSTOR.

JSTOR is a free digital library that connects people to over 12 million academic journal articles, books, images, contributed collections and primary sources.

Here, you’ll find the collection titled “American Prison Newspapers 1800 – 2020: Voices from the Inside.”

Equally exciting–JSTOR provides an offline version of its database to prisons and jails across the nation, making the majority of BookOfIrving82431’s First Amend This! newsletters available to students enrolled in prison education programs.

My thanks to the Idaho Department of Correction for providing the patience and understanding that I required to reach this awesome achievement.

For academic and other collaborations, contact: Patrick@bookofirving82431.com

The ability to speak plainly and directly to make a hard point. The ability to openly admit one has been wrong. Empathy. Humongous New York Balls. All qualities that I admire in mentors and intellectuals.

Thank you John J. Lennon and New York Focus, for your level of devotion and for your civic excellence!

The issue that caused this post and additional context as described through news articles:

https://nysfocus.com/2023/06/06/doccs-prison-blocks-journalism-artists-creative-work

https://nysfocus.com/2023/06/07/doccs-prison-censorship-journalism-writing-art-directive-reversall

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/nyregion/new-york-focus.html

https://johnjlennon.net/

Previous: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, May ’23

Welcome to the June 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 ones are encouraged to join the Idaho Inmate Family Support Group (IIFSG) on Facebook or contact the group’s admins at idahoinmate@gmail.com.

Looking to help improve Idaho’s criminal justice system? We ask that you contact Erica Marshall with the Idaho Justice Project. The Idaho Justice Project works to bring the voices of people impacted by the criminal justice system to the legislative table to work on solutions.

***

EDITOR’S NOTE

Shame on you, NY doccs…

Let’s First Amend This!

***

ICI-O OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Kaylee Brewster of the Lewiston Morning Tribune last month shone her light on the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino, offering the 580-bed men’s facility as an example of the how the culture of corrections in Idaho is changing.

Brewster’s informative article provides a unique glimpse of the role community partnerships play in Idaho prisons.

View Brewster’s article, A Place of Change, here.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY SIX BREAKFAST (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Oatmeal 1.5 cups / .75 cup
Pancakes 4 each / 2 each
Sugar pkts 2 / 1
Milk 8 oz / 8 oz
Syrup 2 oz/ 1oz
Margarine pkts 2 / 2
Banana 1 / 1
————————————————

***

AMMO MAKER OFFERS TO SPONSOR UPCOMING EXECUTIONS

In an article published by guns.com, Chris Eger writes that the Florida-based ammo maker Liberty Ammunition has reached out to the Department with an offer to sponsor future executions by supplying its firing squad with free ammunition.

Eger reports that the ammo maker is simply looking to do its part “in a time of budget constraints and increased violence in our nation.”

Idaho Legislators earlier this year overwhelmingly approved House Bill (HB) 186, making the firing squad a legal option for executions as the state continues struggling to find pharmaceutical suppliers willing to sell the chemicals required to put prisoners to death. An evolved moral standing and the threat of public backlash have been cited as reasons for their refusal to make the sale.

The law takes effect July 1^st, making Idaho one of five states–along with Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, South Carolina–to implement the death penalty as a viable option for executions, according to information provided by the Death Penalty Information Center.

Public records requests for all communications between the IDOC and Liberty ammunition have yet to be processed, leaving it unclear as to whether Idaho has an official firing squad sponsor.

Source: Chris Eger, “Ammo Maker Offers Donation for Idaho Firing Squads,” Guns.com.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY SIX LUNCH W/SNACK (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Deli meat 3 oz. / 3 oz.
Bread 4 oz. / 2 oz.
Mayo/mustard 1 each / 1 each
Tortilla chips 1 oz / 1 oz
Cookie 2 oz / 2 oz
Fresh fruit 1 / 1
————————————————

***

FORMER IDOC HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CHANGES ITS NAME AND FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

On February 15, 2023, IDOC’s former healthcare provider, Corizon Health, which has since changed its name to Tehum Care Services, Inc., filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, according to an article published by Prison Legal News.

The company included in the list of creditors and debts filed with the court the $2,631,593 attorney fees awarded earlier this year to the legal team of former IDOC resident Adree Edmo, who for five years fought the IDOC and its private healthcare contractor to be treated for gender dysphoria with gender-confirming surgery.

The 19 attorneys involved in representing Edmo petitioned the court to be reimbursed for the total of 5,968.30 billable hours they spent on the case. According to Eike Blohm, MD, author of the PLN article, the court ruled in their favor but reduced the number of billable hours to 5,691.5. Following the adjustment in hours, Blohm writes, the court also “awarded an adjusting factor of 2.0 to almost every billable item, since the PLRA limitation of $232.50 per hour significantly underestimated the true market value of the services provided by the attorneys involved.”

PLRA is an acronym for the 1996 Prison Litigation Reform Act that was put in place to impede prisoners’ ability to file civil cases through the courts.

Roxanne Barnes writes in an article published in partnership between Truthout and the Washington, D.C.-based watchdog organization Solitary Watch, “[A]fter passage of the PLRA, federal civil lawsuits from people in prison fell 43 percent by 2001, despite a 23 percent increase in the prison population, according to Human Rights Watch report. The PLRA also reduced the rate of successful prison lawsuits, acting as an obstacle to anyone seeking to confront unlivable conditions in prisons and jails.”

Sources: Eike Blohm, MD, “Transgender Idaho Prisoner Who Won Gender Conforming Surgery Awarded Over $2.6 Million in Legal Fees, Prison Legal News Mar. ’23. Roxanne Barnes, “Jailhouse Lawyers Are Often Punished with Solitary Confinement,” Solitary Watch.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY SIX DINNER (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Pizza slices 1 lg. / 1 lg.
Tossed salad 1 cup / 1 cup
Vinaigrette 1 tsp / 1 tsp
Fruit 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
Cookie or brownie 1 slice/ 1 slice
————————————————

***

IDOC INVESTIGATING DEATH OF ISCC RESIDENT AS SUICIDE

According to the IDOC website, the May 8 death of a resident at the Idaho State Correction Center is being investigated as a suicide.

The Department reports that paramedics and Ada County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a distress call from the facility early that morning, after correctional workers discovered the resident in peril in an unspecified housing unit.

The unidentified resident was pronounced dead at 7:42 am.

***

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Shared here from the IDOC website under protections provided by the Idaho Public Records Act.

People who are emotionally well, experts say, have fewer negative emotions and are able to bounce back from difficulties faster. This quality is called resistance. Learning healthy ways to cope and how to draw from resources in your community can help you build resilience.

• • • Develop healthy physical habits–healthy eating, exercise, and good night’s sleep can improve your physical and mental health.
    • Take time for yourself each day. Notice the good moments. Do something you enjoy.
    • Look at problems from different angles. Think of challenging situations as growth opportunities.
    • Practice gratitude. Take time to be thankful each day.
    • Explore your beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. Guide your life by the principles important to you.
    • Tap into social connections and community. Surround yourself with positive, healthy people. Ask for help when you need it.

***

“THE ‘UNAVOIDABLE’ TRAUMA OF PRISON” AS DESCRIBED BY AN ANXIETY AND TRAUMA DISORDER SPECIALIST FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

It is unfortunate that I was unable to reach our good friends at Open Campus for permission to share an excerpt from the April 26 issue of of College Inside, in which a Q&A session between reporter Charlotte West and clinical psychologist Napoleon Wells helps to explain the factors that contribute to prison suicide rates.

Please take the time to click over, this shit is pretty important.

***

INCREASE IN STARTING WAGES FOR PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS

The starting wages for probation and parole officers is now $25 per hour. That’s a 32% increase from the starting wages earned in 2019, when new arrivals started at $19 per hour.

Source: Idaho Department of Correction on Facebook

***

NEW IDOC PODCAST

Residents of ICI-O have launched a new podcast. Fittingly called the CONtrast, episodes can be found here.

Source: Kaylee Brewster, “A Place of Change,” Lewiston Tribune.

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With six years of episodes available for streaming, Mark Renick hosts Victory Over Sin on Boise’s KBXL 94.1FM, Saturdays at 12:30 pm. The program, funded by an advocacy arm of https://www.svdpid.org, shares what it’s like to live incarcerated in Idaho and then come out of incarceration to live on parole.

5.6.23. Returning citizen and Free2Succeed mentor Osa McDonald discusses the importance of making the most of every day in prison and digging deep to examine one’s life and faults.

5.20.23. As the recovery program manager for Interfaith Sanctuary, Terrence Sharrer’s passion for helping others is deeply rooted in his own experiences. Here he discusses his work and how the Interfaith Sanctuary is now widening its umbrella.

5.27.23. Renick’s longtime friend and former cellie Mark Chaney reflects on the role programs and encouragement play in the prison setting, and the importance of establishing a relationship with your parole officer upon release.

Contact Mr. Renick at 208-477-1006 or visit https://www.svdpid.org for more information on reentry resources in Southern Idaho.

***

RECENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED

Statewide — Ofc. Leo Ferro for graduating Post Academy Session 35 with Top of Class and Tactical Edge awards; a total of 68 IDOC and Idaho Correctional Industries Staff with promotions during a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Central Office — Policy Coordinator Jack Fraser and Chief Investigator Nicole Fraser for 25 years of service; Project Manager Whitney Ascuena-Bolt as Employee of the Quarter.

ISCC — Ofc. Ethan Walcom and Ofc. Janet Marques-Zamrano for five years of service.

Source: Idaho Department Of Correction on Facebook

***

RESIDENT AUDITING 101

This month, instead of using this space to show which public records requests I, the Resident Auditing Committee, currently have in the hopper, I would like to offer my appreciation to the Transparency Department and IDOC Spokesperson Jeff Ray for doing their best to meet the demands of their jobs and for continuing to entertain my ambitions as journalist.

***

RESOURCES FOR THE INCARCERATED

College Inside, a newsletter about prison education, is produced by Open Campus, a national nonprofit newsroom that covers college-in-prison programs, Pell Grants for incarcerated students, career and technical education, and education in juvenile justice facilities.

Open Campus Media
2460 17th Avenue #1015
Santa Cruz, CA 96062
www.opencampusmedia.org

***

INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Date: 5.18.23
To: Idaho Nonprofit Center CEO Kevin Bailey
Re: Network request/ media introduction

[This email forwarded from a resident of the Idaho Maximum Security Institution]

Hi Kevin,

I’m Patrick Irving, an advocate for responsible corrections, contributor to Prison Journalism Project and member of the [PEN America’s] Incarcerated Writers Bureau. I’m covering the current demand of behavioral health and trauma treatment services in Idaho, as well as in Idaho prisons.

I’m curious if you have in your network any nonprofit advocate organizations or behavioral health services that might relate to my story.

Please respond through [this email] when able.

Many thanks,
Patrick Irving
IMSI
PO Box 51
Boise, ID 83707
bookofirving82431.com
direct messaging via JPay.com

***

SUGGESTION BOX

I suggest that we all think for a minute on something we might like about someone we might not.

***

Shout out to Shy Boy at the Yard!

“Cream (Lp Version w/o Rap Monologue)”
— Prince & the New Power Generation

Next: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, July ’23

Previous: First Amend This!: An IDOC Newsletter, Apr. ’23

Welcome to the May 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 ones are encouraged to join the Idaho Inmate Family Support Group (IIFSG) on Facebook or contact the group’s admins at idahoinmate@gmail.com.

Looking to help improve Idaho’s criminal justice system? We ask that you contact Erika Marshall with the Idaho Justice Project. The Idaho Justice Project works to bring the voices of people impacted by the criminal justice system to the legislative table to work on solutions.

***

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s been a busy month on my side. Good for the long term, bad for the length of this issue…

Let’s First Amend This!

***

KEEFE GOES FOR THE GOOCH!

The Keefe Commissary Network is raising its prices again.

The commissary provider for Idaho prisons notified residents on April 10^th  over JPay that, effective May 1^st, a price increase of 5.7 percent would be applied to all products, to reflect recent activity with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Absent the threat of competition, the company assured its most loyal patrons:

“Keefe does understand the strain that this puts on you, our customers. Please note that we are taking every step to identify new items from producers to decrease our cost and maintain the pricing we are offering you the consumer.”

Weeks later, Keefe presented a sample of the steps it was taking to minimize consumer strain and maintain its pricing structure.

1. 1. Pepsi products will replace Coke products at a 65 percent price increase (from $1.36 to $2.25 for 20 oz).
   2. Generic non-dairy, non-flavored creamer ($1.38 for 8 oz.) will be replaced by Coffeemate ($6.00 for 11 oz.) for a per-ounce cost increase of 216 percent.
   3. A similar switch with white rice will raise the price from $1.38 for 8 oz. to $2.00, for a 45 percent increase, nearly eight times more than the CPI adjustment.

Last year Keefe announced a similar 8.5 percent increase, only to be observed over the months that followed replacing multiple products with similar options, marked up in some cases by 200 percent.

Per IDOC’s contract with Keefe, the Department is required to approve all Keefe product placements. The contract further requires the company to keep its prices comparable to those found in Treasure Valley convenience stores and any western U.S. state prison system with similar full-service commissary programs.

With the current revenue sharing arrangement between Keefe and the Department–a minimum annual guarantee (MAG) of $1,250,000 plus 40% of all sales beyond the net annual goal of $6,150,000–the Department lacks any incentive to scrutinize Keefe’s methods.

IDOC/Keefe MAG invoices obtained through public records requests show that from January to December of 2019, the company increased its monthly sales from $8,221,322.53 to $9,165, 897.57. That’s an increase of more than $940,000 (11%) in one year–and that’s prior to stimulus checks for its resident customers and inflation playing a factor.

(This reporter’s request for more recent records has yet to be filled.)

Source: Concessions Services Agreement for Full Service Commissary Services and Account Management Services.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY FIVE BREAKFAST (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Farina 1.5 cups / .75 cup
Pumpkin Bread 1 piece / 1 piece
Margarine patties 2 / 2
Sugar 2 pkts / 1 pkt
Milk 8 oz / 8 oz
No-pork sausage 2 oz /2 oz
————————————————

***

TRAUMA SERVICES STARTED IN JANUARY

IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray shared with this reporter over an electronic messaging relay that the Department has awarded eight contracts for staff services and five for resident services; the first of the staff services came online in January, the first of resident services in March.

“We are viewing these services as pilot tests,” wrote Ray, “and are collecting data to determine if people prefer one type of service over others and if some services translate to more wellbeing.”

“Generally,” Ray continued, “we are pleased to be able to offer mental health services that help staff and residents enhance their psychological wellbeing. Our only concern right now is that we’d love for more folks to avail themselves to these critical resources.”

***

WEEK ONE, DAY FIVE LUNCH W/SNACK (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Peanut Butter 2.5 oz. / 2 oz.
Jelly 1 oz. / 1 oz.
Bread 4 oz. / 2 oz.
Fresh Vegetables 3 oz. / 3 oz.
Potato chips 1 oz / 1 oz
————————————————

***

IDOC CONSIDERS MAIL DIGITIZATION SERVICES

“The IDOC seeks solutions to drug contraband secreted in the physical mail and other contraband by using a turn-key off-site postal mail scanning service that will reduce costs, streamline IDOC operations, eliminate contraband and provide valuable investigative intelligence not currently available.” — RFI-20220415-IDOC

Most digitization services divert resident mail to off-site locations, some as far away as Florida, to be inspected for contraband and processed for intelligence. Once scanned, some services allow the mail to be viewed over a tablet or kiosk, others provide printed copies with potential fees attached. All providers maintain record of incoming correspondence, in some cases storing scans and original copies, for years.

Documents obtained through a public records request show that four companies specializing in mail digitization services responded last year to a request for information (RFI) put out by the Department.

This reporter reviewed information submitted in response to the RFI from Dual Draw, Pigeonly Corrections, Smart Communications and Konica Minolta Business Solutions (KMBS).

At least one company, Pigeonly Corrections, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the threat of all incoming communications by scoring them for sexual content, toxicity, obscenities and insults. The company also tracks all sender information, the frequency at which they send out, and the amount of connections shared between prisoner correspondents.

No mention was made of whether the AI also keeps track of the most common problems associated with the services it offers:

• • • Delayed deliveries
    • Blurred photos
    • Unreadable letters
    • Missing pages
    • Privacy concerns
    • Service fees that stress prisoner support systems

In a report released last year by the Prison Policy Initiative, Leah Wang wrote, “[M]ail scanning doesn’t work to make prisons safer. In fact, early analyses in Pennsylvania and Missouri suggest that mail scanning is having little to no effect on the frequency and overdoses of drug use, the type of issues that prisons claim mail scanning will address.”

“Missouri banned physical mail to prisoners, but nonetheless saw overdoses increase,” reports Olivia Ensign in an article published by Human Rights Watch.

The public records reviewed by this reporter didn’t specify what arrangements, if any, the Department made to follow up with companies who responded to its RFI.

Sources: Correctional Mail Scanning and Electronic Delivery Service (RFI-20220415-IDOC). Andrea Marks, “Digitized Love: How Prison Mail Bans Harm Incarcerated People” Rolling Stone. Leah Wang, “Mail Scanning: A Harsh and Exploitative New Trend In Prisons,” Prison Policy Initiative.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY FIVE DINNER (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Burrito 1 / 1
Salsa 1/4 cup / 1/4 cup
Mexican rice 3/4 cup / 3/4 cup
Corn 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
Pudding 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
Lettuce, onion, tomato 1 cup / 1 cup
————————————————

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With six years of episodes available for streaming, Mark Renick hosts Victory Over Sin on Boise’s KBXL 94.1FM, Saturdays at 12:30 pm. The program, funded by an advocacy arm of https://www.svdpid.org, shares what it’s like to live incarcerated in Idaho and then come out of incarceration to live on parole.

4.1.23. Stacey Tucker and Maddie Broome both enjoy their jobs as reentry career development specialists for St. Vincent de Paul. Their organization, now a federally recognized apprenticeship sponsor, has been busy expanding its services throughout Southern Idaho. View https://www.svdpid.org for more info.

4.8.23. After Judge Tom Kohl visited his daughter’s killer in prison to offer his forgiveness, he began a quest to honor his daughter who struggled with addiction. After writing Losing Megan Kohl, made it his mission to start Paid In Full Oregon, an organization pays to put people through bible college while they are incarcerated.

4.22.23 Just Leadership USA is the only national nonprofit founded by and operated by formerly incarcerated individuals. President and CEO Deanna Hawkins joins Renick to discuss the importance of training those closest to the problem to be part of the solution, and how her organization is empowering people to do so.

4.29.23 As a radio operations manager and co-host of Morning Light on Salt and Light Radio, Bryan Arhowel, with his passion for inspiring and entertaining audience, encourages his audience to consider returning citizens from a perspective of faith and grace.

Contact Mr. Renick at 208-477-1006 or visit https://www.svdpid.org for more information on reentry resources in Southern Idaho.

***

RECENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED

ICIO — Correctional Case Manager (CCM) Jeff Anderson as Employee of the Quarter.

ISCC — CCM Yvette Viramontes as Employee of the Quarter; Sgt. Christopher Honn as Supervisor of the Quarter; Sgt. Bethany Seeger, Ofc. Anthony Albritton, Ofc. Christopher Romriell and Cpl. Daniel Burton with Department’s Silver Cross.

SICI — Ofc. Leonard Holmquist Jr. by Gov. Little for 25 years of service with the Department; Ofc. Tyler Reninger and Sgt. Angela Parrish both with an Exceptional Service Award.

PWCC — Ofc. Dan Grady for 10 years of service, Ofc. Jacob Torres for 5 years of service.

District 5 — Probation and Parole’s Ryan Mathews as Employee of the Quarter.

***

RESIDENT AUDITING 101

Our wait for the following public records requests continues:

1) Commission payments made in the last 24 months from IDOC’s communication and commissary service providers.

2) All grant applications and awards for pre-prosecution diversion programs and trauma invention services.

3) A list and description of all apprentice programs offered to IDOC residents.

4) Idaho’s prison capacity, the number of people on state supervision, the number of people in custody, and the number of IDOC clients currently housed in Arizona.

***

RESOURCES FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS

The Prisoners Literature Project (PLP) is a grassroots organization powered by volunteers who have made it their mission to send free books to prisoners within the U.S.

The PLP fulfills requests for types of books and not specific titles. It is unable to accommodate requests for Christian books or legal texts.

The Prisoner Literature Project
c/o Bound Together Books
1369 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
www.prisonlit.org

***

INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Inmate Services devoted its energy last month to improving itself instead of other departments.

***

SUGGESTION BOX

I suggest we all do like Inmate Services once in a while.

***

Shout out to Clara at NYU Press!

“Give Me One Reason”
— Tracy Chapman

Next: First Amend This! An IDOC Newsletter, June ’23

DATE: April 10, 2023
To: IMSI A-Block Resident Population
From: Warden Richardson
RE: CCGP Contact Visiting Suspension

IMSI Close Custody General Population,

Effective today, April 10^th, 2023, IMSI is suspending contact visiting privileges for the Close Custody General Population (CCGP). This comes as a hard decision but action must be taken immediately to ensure the wellbeing of our residents. All visitation for CCGP will be canceled April 13^th and 14^th to prepare for the visitation change. Non-contact visits will resume on April 15^th, 2023.

As you are aware, IMSI implemented contact visiting for this population after several years of non-contact visiting to allow you to have those meaningful contact visits with your loved ones. Everyone was informed that contact visiting is a privilege and will be closely monitored for contraband introduction, etc. Well, we have monitored for an extended period of time and have seen an uptick in contraband being introduced to the CCGP population.

We have also monitored the homemade alcohol production/consumption within this population as well. We had hoped and had explained to you that we prefer you having contact visiting with your loved ones and would be suspending the visiting restriction implementation for alcohol related [Disciplinary Offense Reports]. It is apparent this privilege is not as sacred as we believe it was as the practice of manufacturing/consuming homemade alcohol has continued.

To date, we have had many residents experience medical emergencies due to drug/alcohol consumption. In fact, we had experienced situations where residents’ lives could have ended if immediate medical attention was not provided. Some were to the extent where residents had to be intubated in an ICU unit to sustain life.

As the Facility Head, I have the duty of ensuring each resident has an environment to live in that is as safe as possible and conducive to one’s rehabilitation and success for release. With this said, I can assure you I take this matter very serious, thus the reasoning for contact visitation suspension. We will continue to monitor this mater for potential future implementations of contact visitation for the CCGP population.

Patrick Irving Responds:

1. 1. Everyone was informed that contact visiting is a privilege and will be closely monitored for contraband introduction, etc

My unit’s population was informed only that fighting in, on the way, or coming back from Visiting would be seen as cause to discontinue contact visits completely.

1. 2. To date, we have had many residents experience medical emergencies due to drug/alcohol consumption… situations where residents’ lives could have ended if immediate medical attention was not provided… As the Facility Head, I have the duty of ensuring each resident has an environment to live in that is safe as possible and conducive to one’s rehabilitation and success for release…

For years, IMSI’s resident population has petitioned Department heads to make programming available, and yet, in the four years that I have been housed at IMSI, never once have I been offered the following:

• • • Support groups
    • Drug and alcohol workbooks
    • Programming opportunities
    • Educational/betterment opportunities (other than GED)
    • Behavioral incentives (group and individual)
    • Organized activities
    • Church services

1. 3. It is apparent this privilege is not as sacred as we believe it was as the practice of manufacturing/consuming homemade alcohol has continued.

While I agree with Warden Richardson that receiving an opportunity to hug my immediate family more than once every five years is a privilege when in custody of the Idaho Department of Correction, not everyone’s family can afford to take the trip out to the desert, and it is not the responsibility of residents to police the behavior of others.

If  you find the complete absence of programs and contact visits at IMSI disturbing, please take the time to express your thoughts with your district’s legislators. View their contact information here.

Previous: First Amend This!: An IDOC Newsletter, Mar. ’23

Welcome to the April 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 ones are encouraged to join the Idaho Inmate Family Support Group (IIFSG) on Facebook or contact the group’s admins at idahoinmate@gmail.com.

Looking to help improve Idaho’s criminal justice system? We ask that you contact Erika Marshall with the Idaho Justice Project. The Idaho Justice Project works to bring the voices of people impacted by the criminal justice system to the legislative table to work on solutions.

***

EDITOR’S NOTE

The correction that appeared in November’s issue was itself incorrect. Amendment Fourteen of IDOC-CenturyLink Contract 014-017 shows that CenturyLink will remain the communication service provider for Idaho prisons until at least June 30, 2024.

I apologize for any confusion.

Let’s First Amend This!

***

GOVERNOR REQUESTS $24M TO IMPROVE IDAHO’S MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, JFAC SAYS NO

In an article published last month by the Idaho Capital Sun, Audrey Dutton covered the story of a northern Idaho man named Ben who, in the absence of criminal charges, has been involuntarily committed by a judge to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) to undergo treatment for severe mental illness.

Dutton shares from a letter sent by Ben’s mother, Diane (first names used to protect Ben’s medical privacy), to Idaho Gov. Brad Little:

“My son has been warehoused in the Idaho Security Medical Program in solitary confinement twenty-one out of the last twenty-eight months, without being convicted of a crime,” she wrote in a message to Little earlier this year. “I’m gravely concerned for my son’s health, welfare and safety. He is progressively getting worse from the effects of the prison environment.”

One day after Dutton’s article was published, the Joint-Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) refused a $24 million budget request submitted by Gov. Little on behalf the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The money was to be used for what Dutton describes as, “a secure, forensic 26-bed mental health facility to care for patients committed and determined dangerously mentally ill by Idaho courts,” and also for improvements to state-run mental health facilities in multiple Idaho districts.

IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray informed the Sun by email that the Department is fielding an increasing number of referrals for Idaho’s psychiatric prison program.

According to one IMSI employee familiar with the program (name withheld to protect from reprisal), the IDOC “rents” a total of ten beds to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The beds–9 for men, 1 for women–are used to house individuals, criminally involved or not, who have been ruled by a judge to pose a violent risk to themselves or others. Once in IDOC custody, a psychiatric treatment coordinator works closely with the Department of Health and Welfare to coordinate prison-provider treatment options and file reports as needed.

IDOC’s chief psychologist, Walter Campbell, reportedly says that these beds are usually full and the typical length of stay for psychiatric admissions is 4 to 6 months.

The Sun’s deep dive into Ben’s situation paints a vividly confusing and disheartening picture.

[Records] show he was admitted last September after allegedly assaulting a nursing staff member about 10 days ago at a state-run psychiatric hospital:

“I must reiterate (and I have done so by phone several times) to Health and Welfare that this is an inappropriate place for this patient to be treated because it lacks the level of care that he requires,” Ben’s psychiatrist at the prison wrote Sept. 6, in a medical record from Ben’s arrival at the prison.

Further illustrating the urgent nature of the situation, Dutton writes that the most recent medical records reviewed by the Sun describe Ben “refusing to take his medication, laughing hysterically, yelling, spitting on the glass window of his cell–in other words, [suffering from] symptoms of an untreated disease.”

View Dutton’s story here.

Source: Audrey Dutton, “He’s in a Prison Cell, With No Criminal Conviction. Idaho Put Him There for Mental Health Care,” Idaho Capital Sun.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY FOUR BREAKFAST (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Oatmeal 1.5 cups / .75 cup
Coffee Cake 1 slice / 1 slice
Scrambled eggs 4 oz. / 3 oz.
Sugar 2 pkts / 1 pckt
Milk 8 oz / 8 oz
Margarine patties 2 / 2
————————————————

***

THE FIRING SQUAD IS A THING AGAIN

After passing favorably through the House and Senate, Idaho House Bill (HB) 186 was signed into law by Gov. Little on March 24, making the firing squad the state’s newest go-to option for exacting executions in the absence of lethal injection drugs.

IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray told the Idaho Statesman in an email that the bill came as a surprise to the Department’s administration.

While testifying in his official capacity last year in support of HB 658, a secrecy bill that now protects lethal injection drug dealers from the fact-finding public and courtroom requests for discovery, IDOC Director Josh Tewalt told legislators when asked the possibility of using a firing squad, “I don’t think you could expect fewer legal challenges to a firing squad. And more importantly, I don’t feel as the director of the Idaho Department of Correction the compulsion to ask my staff to have to do that.”

Despite the protections provided by HB 186, Tewalt’s administration has thus far failed to convince lethal chemical pushers to re-up its fatal stash.

The bill takes effect on July 1^st, at which time, if still unable to obtain the chemicals used for executions, Tewalt will be required to convert a crew of correctional workers into state-mandated assassins.

According to Mia Maldonado with the Idaho Capital Sun, the bill includes a fiscal note estimating the one-time cost of staging a safe space to conduct executions using high-powered projectiles at $750,000 .

Along with Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi and South Carolina, Idaho is one of five states to option the firing squad for executions–with Utah the only state since 1976 to have deployed the method (a total of three times).

Idaho’s last execution took place in June 2012 and was carried out by lethal injection.

Sources: Mia Maldonado,“Idaho Governor Signs Bill to Allow Firing Squad as an Alternative Form of Execution,” Idaho Capital Sun. Clark Corbin, “Firing Squad Bill Advances to the Floor of Idaho Senate. Idaho Department of Correction Officials Say They Are Unable to Obtain Chemicals for Lethal Injection,” Idaho Capital Sun.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY FOUR LUNCH W/SNACK (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Ham Salad 4 oz. / 3 oz.
Bread 4 oz. / 2 oz.
Tortilla chips 1 oz / 1 oz
Bar Cookie 1 each / 1 each
Fresh fruit 1 each / 1each
————————————————

***

PIZZUTO’S EXECUTION THWARTED AGAIN

On March 9, District Judge B. Lynn Winmill granted Gerald R. Pizzuto. Jr. a stay of execution.

Kevin Fixler with the Idaho Statesman writes, “[Winmill] ruled that not enough time was available for him to review at least one of the filings in his court before Pizzuto’s planned March 23 execution. In a three-page stay of execution, he ordered the halt of all state preparations and court actions related to the execution until he has time to fully consider and adjudicate the case.”

Pizzuto, 67, was sentenced to death following his conviction for the 1985 murders of Berta and Delbert Herndon.

This latest death warrant came at the request of Idaho’s new attorney general, Raul Labrador, who played a part in coauthoring House Bill 186 (mentioned in previous article). This marks the fifth time, according to Fixler, since Pizzuto was sentenced that the state has attempted to carry out his execution.

Clark Corbin, “Firing Squad Bill Heads to Governor Brad Little for Final Consideration,” Idaho Capital Sun. Kevin Fixler, “Judge Delays Execution of Idaho Inmate Gerald Pizzuto, Halts Latest Death Warrant,” Idaho Statesman. Ruth Brown, “Judge Grants Stay of Execution for Gerald Pizzuto, Jr., Idaho Man On Death Row,” Idaho Capital Sun.

‘***

WEEK ONE, DAY FOUR DINNER (MAINLINE)

Men/Women
______________________________
Cheese ravioli 5 oz. / 5 oz.
Spinach 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
Bread 2 oz. / 1 oz.
Margarine pats 2 / 1
Fruit 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
Spaghetti sauce 5 oz / 5 oz
————————————————

***

PROHIBITION IN IDAHO PRISONS: FRUIT AND YEAST THE LATEST VICTIMS

Idaho Maximum Security Institution Memorandum

Date: March 02, 2023
To: IMSI A-Block
From: Warden Richardson
RE: Meal Alterations

Due to continued manufacturing of home-made alcohol, we are implementing a menu change to this population’s meals. Meal alterations will include yeast-free bread, replacing fruit with vegetables such as celery, tomatoes, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, jicama. Common fare meals will receive fruit cups versus peelable fruit.

This population will not be the first to experience this type of change. Currently, ISCC has implemented similar changes within their Close Custody population and IMSI has done so with the Protective Custody population.

We are also considering implementing visitation restriction/non-contact visitation for those who receive alcohol related DOR’s. As you are aware, we discontinued this practice a while back, but it is apparent that our generosity regarding this has been taken for granted by many within A-Block population.

We have been very transparent of what our expectations of the A-Block population is, and it it is apparent many have chosen to consider our expectations as invalid, and we must take measures to get our expectations back on track.

As the Facility Head, I have the duty of ensuring each resident has an environment to live in that is safe as possible and conducive to one’s rehabilitation and success for release. With this said, I can assure you the IMSI Administration will be monitoring activities within this population and taking action when appropriate to ensure this population resides in a safe environment.

IMSI PROHIBITION RECAP

In a 2019 effort to combat alleged alcohol abuse among residents, the IDOC placed restrictions on purchases of commissary items suspected of being used by some residents to make alcohol.

The initial restrictions have since turned into a full-on prohibition, with the list of affected items now including sugar, honey, hard candy, soda and everyday fare found on our food service menus.

With nearly four years of data attesting to the apparent inefficacy of prohibition, the Department has yet to offer its most problematic populations any of the following:

• • • Support groups
    • Drug and alcohol workbooks
    • Programming opportunities
    • Educational/betterment opportunities (other than GED)
    • Behavioral incentives (group and individual)
    • Organized activities

***

‘CLEAN SLATE ACT’ PASSED INTO LAW

A bill providing select individuals the ability to shield prior criminal convictions from non-law enforcement, public-facing databases was signed last month into law with bipartisan support.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, who co-sponsored the Clean Slate Act with Rep. Clay Handy, R-Burley, appeared last month on Idaho Matters, a Boise State Public Radio show, to encourage all who qualify AND have lawyer money to start the petition process and get their record sealed.

Who qualifies?

Individuals with one-time, low-level, nonviolent and nonsexual offenses who have gone a minimum of five years without any convictions after completing their sentence.

Studies cited during the bill’s introduction suggest that individuals whose records have been shielded through similar programs may be four times less likely to re-offend than average citizens are to commit a crime.

Sources: Alexandra Duggan, ” ‘Clean Slate Act’ Signed Into Law to Help Non-Violent Offenders,” KTVB.com. Ilana Rubel, Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio.

***

INCARCERATION BY THE NUMBERS

According to a newly released federal Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Idaho continues to imprison females at the highest per capita rate in the nation.

In 2021, Idaho incarcerated females at a rate of 127/100,000, roughly 2.5 times that of the national average: 47/100,000.

Recently, while delivering a performance update to the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration, Director Tewalt provided this context for Idaho’s numbers.: “[W]omen are sentenced to riders at higher rates than men, which affects how many women are included in the total prison population.”

Idaho’s rider program is intended to provide individuals considered low-risk the opportunity to avoid prison by imprisoning them until they complete the program or fail it–at which point (any guesses?) they will remain imprisoned.

Rachel Cohen with Boise State Public Radio reports that additional data provided by the Bureau shows that Idaho is alone in imprisoning a higher percentage of people for drug crimes (32%) than violent crimes (29%).

Here’s how we rank overall.

• • • 1st for females of all ages
    • 5th for all genders over 18
    • 6th for all ages and genders
    • 8th for males of all ages

Idaho is currently in the process of building a new 848-bed women’s facility. Estimated cost: $112 million.

Source: Rachel Cohen, “Idaho Again Leads Country for Female Incarceration Rate,” Boise State Public Radio.

***

FROM THE LOG OF PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS: R009042-020223

According to contract C014-017, Sect. 16.1, the Inmate Management Fund (IMF) is the fund used by the IDOC “to promote the welfare of Inmates through services, programs and physical purchases.” In the interest  of informing the public and the State, I am pursuing the last four years of IMF activities/statements to examine:

1. 1. 1. 1. Whether the fund ever existed
         2. How it’s been used in recent years
         3. Where payments from prison service providers have been going if not into the IMF.

Please provide this information in accordance with the Idaho Public Records Act. Thank you.

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With six years of episodes available for streaming, Mark Renick hosts Victory Over Sin on Boise’s KBXL 94.1FM, Saturdays at 12:30 pm. The program, funded by an advocacy arm of St. Vincent de Paul, shares what it’s like to live incarcerated in Idaho and then come out of incarceration to live on parole.

3.11.23 — Megan Colledge, an event coordinator for the Idaho Justice Project, speaks on the systematic, educational approach that she and her colleagues are applying towards criminal justice reform in Idaho, and how people impacted by justice can contribute to policy making. Visit casebycaseid.com and idahojusticeproject.org to help.

3.18.23 — As the executive director for Idaho’s Prison Arts Collective, Michael Richardson works closely with the IDOC and its clients to provide mindful, artistic outlets to justice-impacted people. Richardson recently published a compilation of letters written from prisoners to younger versions their selves. The compilation, “Dear Me,” is now available through Amazon. Learn more at idahoprisonarts.org and idahoinsider.net.

3.25.23 — Following his appearance at Storyfort, author David Steece discusses the process of dissecting the deeply embedded beliefs that once held him in intolerance and hatred, and the shock of returning to civilization after 20 years of incarceration. Steece’s book “20 to Life: Essays of A man’s Journey to Change Throughout Incarceration,” is now available at select retailers.

For information on reentry resources available in southern Idaho, call Mark at 208-477-1006, or visit svdpid.org.

***

FAMILY REUNIFICATION

The AVC Media Group, which includes residents of the South Idaho Correctional Institution (SICI), recently produced a video of a family reunification carnival held in September at SICI.

The carnival, made possible by residents, administration and security staff working together, marked a first for Idaho Corrections and the community it serves.

Click here to view.

Source: IDOC Facebook

***

RECENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED

Statewide — The women of IDOC were honored throughout March in celebration of Women’s History Month. View the IDOC pages on Facebook or Instagram for details.

ICIO — Ofc. Chad Loughran was recognized for 15 years of service; Cpl. Earl Durham was recognized for five years of service.

District 4 — Probation and Parole’s Ryan Hertling and Stephanie La Duke-Lakey were each recognized for ten years of service.

IMSI — Tina Wofford was celebrated as February’s Employee of the Month. And, after being served over 500 meals containing ingredients that presented a serious risk to his health, resident Chad Hollon finally re-convinced the Department and its contractors that he is still, in fact, severely intolerant to onions. During the 3.5 years it took to have his medical diet reinstated, Hollon says he was sent to the hole four times for presenting the issue to staff.

EBCRC — Kandice Ackerman and her fellow residents pooled funds to raise $696 for Pet Haven, a cat adoption center in Nampa. Ofc. Jim Dixon was recognized for 20 years of service; Ofc. Samuel McClure was recognized for 10 years of service.

Distict 5 — Maria Jayone Fitzhugh was celebrated for 10 years of service.

SBWCC — Recognized for his bravery and for performing life-saving measures, Ofc. Carl Haynes was awarded IDOC’s Silver Cross.

SICI — Ofc. David Sturm was recognized for 15 years of service and Clinical Supervisor Jeremy Clark was recognized for 10 years of service. Ofc. Alfredo Hipolito-Sosa was awarded the Department’s Silver Cross for saving the life of a resident.

Central Office — The entire Atlas Team was honored as Employees of the Quarter.

PWCC – Lt. Thomas Genera was recognized for 25 years of service.

Source: IDOC Facebook, Instagram.

***

RESIDENT AUDITING 101

As of April 1, our wait for the following public records requests continues:

1. 1. November’s request for all payments made from prison service providers to the IDOC in 2022.
   2. December’s request for all grant applications and awards for pre-prosecution diversion programs and trauma invention services for staff.
   3. A list and description of all apprentice programs offered to IDOC residents.

***

RESOURCES FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS

Compassion magazine publishes compassionate and introspective articles written by prisoners on Death Row and prisoners serving life without parole (LWOP).

Contributors and readers are provided with an opportunity to positively impact the families of murder victims by donating prison artwork to be sold for college scholarships.

Using funds generated from prison artwork and tax-deductible contributions, the magazine has awarded over $60,000 in college scholarships to family members of murder victims.

The magazine is sent free to all 2,500+ Death Row prisoners, as well as to 2,000 of the over 50,000 individuals serving LWOP.

To subscribe or contribute:

St. Rose Peace and Justice
Compassion
P.O. Box 623
Perrysburg, OH 43552
419-874-1333
www.compassionondeathrow.net

Compassion also recommends siblingsofmurderedsiblings.com

***

INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Covert Action Institute
55 Gerard St., Ste. 1323
Huntington, NY 11743

3.13.23

Dear Covert Action Institute,

I am writing to ask to what extent your organization works with incarcerated journalists, and to offer myself–a member of PEN America’s new Incarcerated Writers Bureau, and also a writer for Prison Journalism Project–as an asset to your network. Enclosed is a self-addressed envelope; any information you can send in response will be appreciated.

Cheers,
Patrick Irving 82431

***

SUGGESTION BOX

How about we try approaching the alcohol problem with:

1. 1. Drug and alcohol treatment options
   2. Behavioral incentives (group and individual)
   3. More inclusive betterment opportunities
   4. Opportunities to participate in peer support groups
   5. Constructive distractions

***

Shout out to Danielle Squillante with the Prison Policy Initiative–thank you for helping to keep us informed!

“The Scoop”
— Beastie Boys

Next: First Amend This!: An IDOC Newsletter, May ’23