Updates

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.

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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.

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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
————————————————

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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.”

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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
————————————————

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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.

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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
————————————————

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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.

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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.

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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

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INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

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

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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!

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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.

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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
————————————————

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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.

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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
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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.

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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
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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

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‘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.

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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.

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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

From an informative conversation with a loved one over JPay…

I don’t know what the problem is because it happened on another unit, and I’ve now been locked down for four days. All I know is that our staff don’t want to discuss it, and that by itself indicates that it’s something bad.

Someone will probably explain it to us at some point. Or a team will come through to tear our shit apart, and then we’ll have a better understanding of what it is that they’re concerned with.

Generally speaking, it’s only when intramural violence happens or when staff are assaulted that everyone gets locked down like this. But there are other possibilities as well. If you were to try and make sense of the reaction we are currently seeing, you might first consider that our facility admins have very little to work with; there are zero programs and few incentives to take away from us. All that’s left to strip from us this week are warm breakfasts and dinners, dismal out-of-cell time, family visits, commissary and personal property. [As of 3.16.23, all non-special-circumstance A-Block visits are discontinued until further notice.]

You also have to consider that safety issues vary, and there’s no telling to what degree the current issue presents a problem. It could be something with the potential to affect a lot of people on our unit, and that it is simply safest to keep everyone locked down until management are able to gauge whatever threat they feel they’re dealing with.

Were it a staff issue, I wouldn’t classify their response as a petty retaliation. I say this because our IMSI staff work in the same way our residents live–under the stress of ever-changing volatile conditions. They must feel assured that management has their back, or else they quit in droves and the situation gets worse for everyone.

In terms of how certain incidents are responded to, some facilities are worse than others. For instance, it’s not uncommon for some wardens to have a team of bruisers run through a unit or a facility and trash everyone’s personal items. Maybe some dudes get the shit kicked out of them out of camera view. Maybe others get a similar treatment from residents who staff incentivised in some way . You’ll sometimes see people get pulled from their cells in the middle of the night and moved across the state with all their shit behind them broken…

I would say that, present day at IMSI, our facility’s leadership team are, for the most part, very reasonable. But they are also limited in the ways they’re authorized to interact with our population.

One of the best tools they do have, sad to say, is the political system that prisoners develop to police themselves. If a few individuals are responsible for placing the tribe or its resources at risk, the tribe will take it upon themselves to handle those individuals.

It’s just your typical jungle shit. You have to learn to look at it like that, otherwise you will never make sense of it.

Damn. It’s really nice outside today, too.

I’m working on a satire piece right now. It’s an ad for a contest that awards a writing residency at my prison:

“Open communal setting encourages community building. Friendly collaborations lead to indoctrination.”

“Watch child rapists steal your dinner tray from the open side of your steel door as you sit idly by absorbing the conversation behind you. Take notes as your bunkie, a certified mental patient, aggressively challenges mystic voices in an explorative form of discourse.”

“If you find ‘rotting alone, together’ too much of a distraction, sharpen up a toothbrush and take a trip to isolation…”

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

Welcome to the March 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

Idaho lawmakers are still going hard, and it is being reported as we prepare to publish that they are not yet done discussing mandatory minimums and cutoffs for fentanyl trafficking.

Those interested in keeping current with status of all legislation will find this link helpful: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2023/

And for anyone interested in pursuing sensible solutions to our ongoing fentanyl crisis:

https://www.casebycaseid.com/no-new-mandatory-minimums-fentanyl
https://www.idahoprisonproject.org/blog/operation-esto-perpetua/

Let’s First Amend This!

***

BILL TO BRING BACK THE FIRING SQUAD A SURPRISE TO CORRECTIONAL WORKERS

Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, last month introduced House Bill (HB) 186, legislation that would require Idaho prison officials to commission, in the absence of lethal injection drugs, a team of marksman executioners to extinguish the condemned.

In presenting the bill, Skaug accentuated the ineffectiveness of last year’s HB 658, which Idaho lawmakers designed to protect lethal injection drug dealers from public reprisal by ensuring their product would be supplied under a cloak of absolute secrecy: Despite the protections provided by HB 658, the IDOC’s struggle to obtain the lethal chemicals used for executions continues.

IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray told the Idaho Statesman in an email that the Department was unaware of Skaug’s intent to propose the bill.

To fellow lawmakers, Skaug justified the push as a rule-of-law issue. “The way it stands now, they may never get those materials for lethal injections.” … “Our criminal system should work and our penalties should be exacted. When promised and deserved, the death penalty should be duly invoked.”

According to the Idaho Statesman, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General confirmed that Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador was involved in the process of coauthoring the bill.

Three days after Skaug presented it as the chair to the House Ways and Means Committee, Labrador successfully sought through Second Judicial Judge Michelle M. Evans a death warrant for Gerald Pizzuto Jr. (discussed further in the following article), despite the state lacking the lethal injection drugs required to see it through.

The Statesman further reported that Labrador’s LinkedIn profile places him in the employ of Rep. Skaug’s private legal practice for roughly three years leading up to his newly-elected position.

Should the bill pass, it will be second time that Idaho lawmakers have approved the use of a firing squad to administer capital punishment. Previously prescribed as a legal option in 1982, it was disbanded in 2009 without ever being activated.

Although four states have currently cleared high-powered projectiles as an option for carrying out executions–Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina (where the Court has ordered the state to temporarily abstain from deploying the practice)–the Death Penalty Information Center reports that only three firing squad executions have taken place in US prisons since 1976.

The State of Idaho, which changed its method of execution from hanging to lethal injection in 1978 and last performed an execution in 2012, currently keeps 8 people alive on Death Row.

When asked his thoughts while testifying last year in favor of House Bill 658, IDOC Director Josh Tewalt informed a committee of lawmakers, “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.”

As this article is written, HB 168 has passed the House floor and is headed to the Senate for further consideration.

Sources: Rebecca Boone, “Idaho Bill Would Bring Back Execution by Firing Squad,” Associated Press. Kevin Fixler, “Idaho Could Pursue Execution by Firing Squad,” Idaho Statesman. Clark Corbin, Idaho Matters, Boise State Public Radio.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY THREE BREAKFAST

Men/Women
______________________________
Farina 1.5 cups / .75 cup
French Toast 2 or 3 slices / 2 slices
Syrup 2 oz. / 1 oz.
Margarine patties 2 / 2
Milk 8 oz / 8 oz
————————————————

***

THE DYSFUNCTIONAL DANCE OF DEATH WARRANTS: PIZZUTO GETS SERVED AGAIN!

Convicted in 1986 of murdering two gold prospectors during the course of a 1985 robbery, Gerald Pizzuto, Jr., 66, was on February 24 served a death warrant declaring his impending execution for the second time since November.

The warrant, issued by Second Judicial Judge Michelle M. Evans at the behest of Attorney General Raul Labrador, scheduled the execution for Mar. 23, 2023.

Upon serving the warrant, the IDOC promptly placed all execution procedures on hold–save for those required to preserve Pizzuto’s due process protections–and again sent notice informing the Board of Correction, the Governor’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General that the Department lacks the chemicals required to conform to the Judge’s order.

Pizzuto has now spent 36 years on Idaho’s Death Row, the last three terminally ill with bladder cancer, heart disease and diabetes–for which he is receiving the prison version of hospice care.

In a 2021 clemency hearing, the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole, upon considering the severity and range of Pizzuto’s medical issues, and in addition to testimony provided by his sisters (who said that as a child he was tortured at the hands of his parents), voted to commute his sentence to life without parole.

Unable to overlook the brutality of his crimes, Governor Brad Little overrode the Commission’s decision.

The IDOC’s inability to source lethal injection drugs now has state politicians pushing for the firing squad–the same method of execution that Pizzuto was denied years ago after requesting it himself.

Should legislators succeed in legalizing the firing squad as an option, it won’t become a legal form of execution until July 1, 2023, at which time the IDOC will be required to revise its current execution policy (Execution Procedures 135.02.01.001).

Presuming that Pizzuto’s healthy team of lawyers have a bit of life left in them, Idaho can expect the method, if made legal, to be challenged in the courtroom–similar to the way it now is in South Carolina, where a judge has temporarily ordered the state’s gang of executioners to lower its arms.

Sources: Idoc.idaho.gov. Rebecca Boone, Idaho Ordered To Execute Inmate But State Lacks Lethal Injection Drugs,” Associated Press. Kevin Fixler, “Idaho Could Pursue Execution by Firing Squad,” Idaho Statesman.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY THREE LUNCH W/SNACK

Men/Women
______________________________
Peanut Butter 2.5 oz. / 2 oz.
Jelly 1 oz. / 1 oz.
Bread 4 oz. / 2 oz.
Fresh veggies 3 oz. / 3 oz.
Potato chips 1 oz / .5 oz
Fresh fruit 1 each / 1each
————————————————

***

IDAHO PRISON PROJECT: IDAHO COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE, INSTEAD WE GOT “OPERATION ESTO PERPETUA”

An excerpt from “Governor Little’s Operation Esto Perpetua is More Drug War Nonsense,” authored by Julia Piaskowski with the Idaho Prison Project. Shared here with permission.

Operation Esto Perpetua was an embarrassing and unprofessional public relations tour of the state that did not result in usable recommendations on how to address Idaho’s fentanyl crisis.

Idaho provides minimal funding for drug treatment and mental health resources, but pours money into prisons and policing as a solution to the fentanyl crisis.

Policy changes Idaho needs to reduce fentanyl overdose deaths:

1. 1. 1. Fund substance abuse treatment and recovery resources
      2. Legalize and distribute fentanyl (test) strips
      3. Educate public on Narcan usage to reverse and overdose
      4. Stop passing bills throwing people in prison for drug use!

Drug abuse has long been a problem in Idaho. According to the Idaho Drug Overdose dashboard, figures for overdoses indicate 846 emergency room visits for opioid overdoses in 2020 and 1,075 visits in 2021 (a 27% increase). Figures for 2022 appear to be tracking closely with previous years There has been an increase in overdoes deaths. In 2021 there were 343 statewide, compared to 287 in 2020 (a 20% increase).

Operation Esto Perpetua takes its name from the Idaho State Motto, Esto Perpetua, or may it endure forever.

While the Governor’s office has presented this as his initiative, the funding is actually provided to the Idaho State Police (ISP). Judging from their presentation made to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) last legislative session, this was not intended to be a joint operation between the Governor’s office and ISP, nor was there any component to hold public meetings…

View the full report: https://www.idahoprisonproject.org/blog/operation-esto-perpetua/

***

WEEK ONE, DAY THREE DINNER

Men/Women
______________________________
Corn dog 2 each / 1 each
Tossed salad 1 cup / 1 cup
Vinaigrette 1 Tbsp. / 1 Tbsp.
Beans 1.25 cups / 1.25 cups
Fruit crisp 1 piece/ 1 piece
Ketchup 2 each/ 1 each
Mustard 1 each/ 1 each
————————————————

***

CLEAN SLATE ACT CLEARS COMMITTEE

Introduced last month with bipartisan support, the Clean Slate Act, writes Laura Guido with the Idaho Press, would “put in place a mechanism for public records to be shielded for some who committed one offense or multiple offenses that rose from one incident.”

According to Guido, the bill applies only to those who go without reoffending for at least five years following the completion of a sentence handed down for a non-violent or non-sexual misdemeanor, or for low-level felony drug charges. It also requires a judge to cosign on an individual basis whether a person is eligible.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, who, along with Rep. Clay Handy, R-Burley, co-sponsored the bill, told fellow lawmakers that she worked closely with a group of Idaho prosecutors to decide who would be eligible to have their record shielded from public view.

Should the bill pass into law, studies cited during its introduction suggest that Idaho will benefit through improved public safety, as individuals whose records have been scrubbed through similar programs appear four times less likely to reoffend than others are to commit a crime.

Of course, those that do will still find their previous misgivings pulled up in the courtroom, their records hidden only from certain public-facing databases.

Source: Laura Guido, “Idaho House Committee Passes ‘Clean Slate Act’,” Idaho Press.

***

FROM THE LOG OF PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS: R007192-010323

• • Estimated daily operation cost for the anticipated 848-bed women facility.
  • Number of Idaho inmates currently incarcerated at Saguaro Correctional Center.
  • Number of first-time drug trafficking offenders in IDOC custody as of 12/01/22.
  • Annual breakdown (from 2000-2022) of all trafficking offenders in IDOC custody.
  • Annual breakdown (from 2000-2022) of the number of people convicted of a first-time drug trafficking offense and never placed in IDOC custody each year.
  • Annual breakdown of all drug trafficking offenders in IDOC custody from 2000-2022. For example, # in 2000, # in 2001, # in 2002 etc.
  • Average annual cost per inmate residing in an Idaho facility.
  • Average daily cost per inmate residing in an Idaho facility.
  • Daily cost per inmate residing at Saguaro Correctional Center for 2022.

***

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Since the start of COVID-19, the IDOC has administered over 83,585 tests to those of its clients it’s keeping in-state. More than 7,100 are reported as positive. View IDOC’s COVID report here.

The trauma treatment program announced by the IDOC last year is, by all appearances, not lifting off the launchpad anytime soon.

Staff experiencing corrections fatigue and trauma, or just curious about the types of care offered within the community, are encouraged to contact Ginger Wright, IDOC’s new staff wellness coordinator. Wright will provide you with support and guidance while pointing you toward available resources.

Residents with trauma issues are burnt.

DID YOU KNOW?

Per Solitary Watch, a study published in 2019 by the Journal of the American Medical Association “linked time spent in solitary confinement with an increased likelihood of suicide after release. Of the 229,274 participants, ‘individuals who spent any time in restrictive housing were 24% more likely to die in their first year after release, especially from suicide (78% more likely)’ than those who did not spend time in restrictive housing.”

Click here to read up on IDOC’s restrictive housing units.

Sources: idoc.idaho.gov. The Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement fact sheet #3, solitarywatch.org.

***

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Statewide — Correction POST Academy Session 91 concluded with 34 members graduating in a ceremony held at the statehouse; and 24 existing staff completed Courageous Leadership 100, a training course focused on communication, accountability, coaching and delegating.

District 2 — Dallin Warrick from Probation and Parole took Employee of the Quarter. He is recognized for playing an active role in multiple IDOC initiatives.

District 5 — 30 clients completed programs offered through District 5’s Connection and Intervention Station. Their graduation was celebrated in a ceremony held at the College of Idaho.

PWCC — Ofc. Jared Holt received the Tactical Edge Award.

ICI-O — Ofc. Robert Contreras received the Top of Class Award; Cpl. Earl Durnham was celebrated for 5 years of service.

ISCC– Sgt. Enrico Bongiovi received the Top Instructor Award; Correctional Specialist Ryan Burns has been awarded Employee of the Quarter; Program Manager Gladymar Rodriguez was awarded Supervisor of the Quarter.

Source: idoc.idaho.gov, @idcorrections on Instagram

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With five 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.

Dave Wesley, the program director for Serving USA, last month took to the show to introduce a new educational, urban ministry program. Expected to soon debut at two south-of-Boise facilities, the program is described as an in-depth, challenging, 3.5-year Bible theology curriculum. It consists of 16 learning modules developed by World Impact and, courtesy of Serving USA, will be offered free to residents.

For more information on reentry resources available in southwestern Idaho, visit https://www.svdpid.org or email systemicchangeofidaho@gmail.com.

***

RESIDENT AUDITING 101

Our wait for the following public records requests continues:

1. 1. October’s request for the current arrangement between the IDOC, ICSolutions and JPay.
   2. November’s request for all payments made from prison service providers to the IDOC in 2022.
   3. December’s request for all grant applications and awards for pre-prosecution diversion programs and trauma invention services for staff.
   4. December’s request for any proposals, requests for proposals, or solicitations between the IDOC and digitized mail service providers over the last three years.
   5. A list and description of all apprentice programs offered to IDOC residents.

***

RESOURCES FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS

Level, a federally recognized nonprofit organization, provides free printed educational, job training and personal development guides for incarcerated people. Request content at:

Level
411 W. Monroe St.
Austin, TX 78704-3025
https://learnlevel.org

***

INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Date: 2-2-23
To: Irving Prime
From: Irving Esquire
Re: Issues Reported With Records and Grievances

The grievance process has changed a little with the new system, but I did receive a medical grievance back just yesterday, and I can confirm that I received typed responses in addition to copies of the original grievance and concern form. I’m having a hard time understanding how it might affect a claim to present the copies returned to us instead of the originals, so it’s hard to for me to justify presenting this as an issue.

That the documents used to support the grievance are missing is a little different story.

Hard to say for sure but it may be the reason he didn’t receive his originals back is that he was the victim of a learning curve taking place with the new offender management system, Atlas.

I’ll be able to verify from my end if it continues.

In the meantime, though he can’t submit a public records request for his own records, his family is capable of obtaining them by request. From what staff tell me, concern forms are typically held by the people they’re addressed to for, on average, a one-year period. To help the records custodian narrow in on their location, his family will want to specify that the forms were used as supporting documents for his medical grievance.

As for the delay in grievances returning from Central Office, I’ve experienced the same a number of times. And I, too, find that it usually takes a follow-up grievance to compel the person responsible for responding to take the time to do so.

***

SUGGESTION BOX

Those pictures we take with our families in Visiting–how about providing our visitors with the option to receive a copy via email?

***

Shout out to Sonic from IMSI A-Block! Best of luck out there, buddy…

“Confines”
— Black Pumas

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

Welcome to the February 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

A longer version of this month’s lead story, in which we consider the relationship between a former pre-hearing investigator for the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole and a former Boise police captain with ties to white supremacists, can be found online at bookofirving82431.com. If you believe as we do that the connection we’ve uncovered requires a deeper look from Idaho lawmakers and media, please take the time to send the link to those who serve your district.

Let’s First Amend This!

***

WIFE OF FORMER BPD CAPTAIN TIED TO WHITE SUPREMACISTS EMPLOYED BY THE IDAHO COMMISSION OF PARDONS AND PAROLE

In 2019, Ashley Bryngelson, a pre-hearing investigation officer for the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole (ICPP), recommended that Sergio Castillo-Marquez, a Mexican citizen imprisoned for drug trafficking, be denied parole, deportation and reunification with his family in Mexico. Bryngelson’s husband, Matthew Bryngelson, has recently been in the news for his relationship with American Renaissance.

As reported by the Idaho Statesman in November, Mathew Bryngelson, who retired as a captain from the Boise Police Department (BPD) in August, appeared under a fake name on the speaker list for the American Renaissance Conference. According to Boise State Public Radio host Samantha Wright, “American Renaissance portrays Whites as superior to Black people and says people of color commit more crimes than White people.” The Southern Poverty Law Center labels the conference as one which attracts Klansmen, neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

A lawsuit filed in federal courts in 2021 alleges the ICPP is racially biased in granting parole. The plaintiff, Elias Custodio, a Hispanic male serving time on two manslaughter charges, claims his rights to due process and equal protection have been violated by the ICPP and its pre-hearing investigators. (Case Number 1:21-cv-000351-REP Custodio vs. Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole et al.)

In December, the Boise City Council set aside $500,000 to hire the Washington D.C. firm Steptoe and Johnson to investigate whether Mathew Bryngelson’s ideologies played into his police work or tainted the department. The investigation will be led by the esteemed Michael Bromwich, who according to the firm’s website, possesses 40 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer, federal prosecutor, special prosecutor, independent monitor, and also served as associate counsel in the Office of Independent Counsel for the Iran-Contra investigation.

Unfortunately, Bromwich’s firm was hired only to investigate the BPD, which makes it likely that they will be looking for evidence of whether racist practices were deployed at the city level to place people in prison–and not by authorities at the state level with the power to release them.

It has yet to be identified whether Ashley Bryngelson in any way supported the pseudonymous views her husband was scheduled to espouse at the conference, or whether she may have attended others like it or promoted his posts on social.

Though her current employment status has yet to be confirmed, she appears to have been employed by the ICPP at least into 2021.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY TWO BREAKFAST

Men/Women
______________________________
Oatmeal 1.5 cups / 0.75 cup
PB Pancakes 4 each / 2 each
Syrup 2 oz. / 1 oz.
Margarine patties 2 / 2
Milk 8 oz / 8 oz
Fresh Fruit 1 / 1
————————————————

***

IMPORTANT MEDICARE RULE CHANGE

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently changed the rules for Medicare enrollment. The rule change provides incarcerated citizens with a Special Enrollment Period that extends mandatory enrollment 12 months past their release date.

Effective January 1, 2023, those who become Medicare eligible during their time incarcerated will no longer face financial penalties for failing to enroll in Medicare Part B, and those who have already enrolled and are paying monthly premiums may now disenroll and then re-enroll during the Special Enrollment Period.

Unfortunately, the rule change only affects people released from incarceration after January 1, 2023, leaving what the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) estimates to be tens of thousands of people paying financial penalties in perpetuity for not enrolling in Medicare while imprisoned.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a national health insurance program for people 65 and older, and also some who are younger and qualify with disabilities. Medicare Part A is health insurance that covers hospitalizations, usually without a monthly premium. Medicare Part B requires beneficiaries to pay a monthly premium and covers medical care received outside of hospitals. Neither provide coverage for healthcare during incarceration.

Prior to the rule change, incarcerated people were obligated to enroll in Medicare upon turning 65 or otherwise becoming eligible.

What are the penalties for those who fail to enroll in time?

According to Emily Wildra with the Prison Policy Initiative, “For every 12 months that someone was eligible for Part B coverage but was not enrolled, their future monthly premiums increased by 10%. Someone released in 2022 who enrolled late in Medicare Part B at age 67 is expected to pay a minimum of approximately $204.10 every month, a surcharge of 20% on top of the minimum Part B premium of $170.10.”

Wildra also points out that where most Medicare beneficiaries pay for their coverage from their Social Security payments, these payments are suspended during a person’s imprisonment.

Interested in learning more about the Medicare rule change, who and how it benefits? Visit the Prison Policy Initiative online for a brief and recommendations for taking action.

Source: Emily Wildra, “How A Medicare Rule That Ends Financial Burdens for the Incarcerated Leaves Some Behind,” Prison Policy Initiative.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY TWO LUNCH

Men/Women
_______________________________
Turkey or Tuna 4 oz / 3 oz
Bread 4 oz/ 2 oz
Tortilla chips 1 oz / 1 oz
Cookie 2 oz / 2 oz
________________________________

***

SEARCH FOR TRAUMA TREATMENT PROVIDERS CONTINUES

“Correctional staff experience high levels of stress, burnout and other mental health-related consequences. They also experience higher rates of PTSD and suicide compared to those of the general working-age population. Additionally, we know that many of our residents experience abuse, stress and trauma before entering prison and that many can be exposed to the same during incarceration.” — Idaho Department of Correction

“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.” — SolitaryWatch.org

Last year the Idaho Legislature allotted for $500,000 for the IDOC to deploy trauma treatment services and interventions for staff and residents. The money was made available to qualified providers through a grant application process overseen by the Department.

With the grant funding required to be expended by June 30, 2023, and with what currently appears to be an absence of interest from applicants, the Department again is reaching out to professionals interested in providing trauma treatment programs.

Requested services include, but are not limited to:

• • • Mental health interventions
    • One-on-one incident response
    • Trauma-informed yoga
    • Cognitive processing therapies
    • Mindfulness techniques
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR)

Applications and questions can be sent to contracts@idoc.idaho.gov.

Sources: “The Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement Fact Sheet #3, solitarywatch.org.” idoc.idaho.gov. @idcorrections on Instagram.

***

WEEK ONE, DAY TWO DINNER

Men/Women
________________________________
Mac and cheese 1.5 cups / 1.5 cups
Broccoli 0.75 cup / 0.75 cup
Bread 2 oz/ 1 oz
Margarine patties 2 / 1
Fruit 1/2 cup / 1/2 cup
___________________________________

***

A MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS FROM THE IDOC

Avian Flu Affecting IDOC Menus

As you may have heard, we are still in the middle of one of the worst avian flu pandemics on record, with nearly 60 million poultry birds lost in the USA. As a result, the egg supply is very unreliable, and we are regularly seeing shortages from our vendors. For menus prepared in-house, you may see substitutions for eggs (when we don’t receive the amount of product necessary to prepare the menu as written).

For common fare participants, the egg meals have been replaced with bean meals. The changeover provides a similar calorie and protein profile as the egg meals.

Thank you for your patience with this issue that is beyond our control.

***

COVID NEWS

Since the start of COVID-19, the IDOC has administered over 82,955 tests to those of its clients it’s keeping in-state. More than 7,075 have been reported as positive.

In response to a grievance regarding delays in receiving COVID boosters, Health Services Administrator Chris Johnson writes, “Since the new COVID bivalent booster was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration on August 31, 2022, it’s taking some time to roll it out to the pharmacies and providers. Currently, Centurion has already placed a large order of the bivalent but it is still waiting arrival.”

Residents experiencing issues related to COVID are invited to forward exhausted grievances to:

ACLU Idaho
PO Box 1897
Boise, ID 83701

View IDOC’s COVID report here.

***

VISITATION

Idaho Falls Community Reentry Center has new visiting hours — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

South Boise’s Women’s Correctional Center is now offering visitation on Friday in addition to Saturday. The schedule for both days is the same.

Following a January 29 incident, in which a woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle meth into IMSI during visitation, the Department would like to remind all that introducing contraband into its facilities is punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

***

RENICK ON THE RADIO

With five 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.

Once a participant in an alternative sentencing program, Casey Gonzalez identified a community need and designed a program of his own. Last month he joined Mark to discuss how he has been working with others to provide citizens returning from incarceration to District 3 with the materials they need to reenter the labor force.

For more information on reentry resources available in southwestern Idaho, visit svdpid.org or email systemicchangeofidaho@gmail.com.

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RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Statewide — Twenty-six staff completed Emerging Leaders training.
According to the Department, Emerging Leaders is an introductory course that “provides insight into the roles and responsibilities of a supervisor and empowers staff to connect with their teams in ways that promote communication and collaboration.”

District 2 — Twelve clients graduated treatment through Lewiston’s Connection and Intervention Station.

IMSI — Case Manager Scott Teats was awarded Employee of the Month; Lt. Dixie Hoyt received Supervisor of the Quarter.

SICI — Sgt. Felix Diaz was celebrated for his 15 years of service; Cpl. Riley Hayes was celebrated for 10 years of service.

ICIO — Ofc. Kelly Meisner was selected as ICIO Employee of the Quarter; Cpl. Barrett Hills, Ofc. Devon Griffith, Sgt. Scott Knutson, Taylor Henson, Jaci Beegle, Ofc. Serena Henson, Cpl. Barret Hills and Cpl. Chad Fernald recently received the Department’s Silver Cross.

According to the IDOC, the Silver Cross is awarded to correctional professionals who display prompt or alert action resulting in a life being saved or the prevention of serious injury to others and for demonstrating exceptional care for other individuals.

Central Office — The following were celebrated for their respective years of service: Brett Kimmel, 25; Brenda Lamott, 20; Cheri Campbell, 15; Aida Marshall, 15; Zarah Martin, 15; Pamela Parker, 15; Cody Carlson, 10; Kari Nusgen, 10; Rusty McNeill, 5.

Sources: Idoc.idaho.gov, @idcorrections on Instagram. Kaylee Brewster, “One Changed Life Helps Many. Reentry Grads Celebrate Their Progress and Look To the Future,” Lewiston Tribune.

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RESIDENT AUDITING 101

We submitted the following public records requests in January:

1. 1. January’s log of public records requests.
   2. The last four years of statements for the Inmate Management Fund.

Public records requests that have yet to be filled:

1. 1. October’s request for the current arrangement between the IDOC, ICSolutions and JPay.
   2. November’s request for all payments made from prison service providers to the IDOC in 2022.
   3. December’s request for all grant applications and awards for pre-prosecution diversion programs and trauma invention services for staff.
   4. December’s request for any proposals, requests for proposals, solicitations between the IDOC and digitized mail service providers over the last three years.
   5. A list and description of all apprentice programs offered to IDOC residents.

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RESOURCES FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS

The National Hepatitis Corrections Network (NHCN) serves as a hub of information about hepatitis C in prisons and jails and will provide Hep C educational materials and publishing resources to incarcerated individuals anywhere in the nation.

HPCN
1621 South Jackson St., Ste. 201
Seattle, WA 98144
206-732-0311
hcvinprison.org

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INMATE SERVICES AT WORK

Michael Bromwich
Steptoe and Johnson
1330 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036

1-5-23

Dear Mr. Bromwich,

Idaho prison reporter here, offering information you may already be aware of yet unable to pursue, based upon the scope of which you were hired to investigate the Boise Police Department: Mathew Bryngelson’s wife, Ashley Bryngelson, was employed for years as a pre-hearing investigator for the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. I broke the story yesterday @ bookofirving82431.com, along with news of a lawsuit filed over claims of racial bias in Idaho’s parole system.

Thank you for considering this information to whatever extent you are capable.

Respectfully,
Patrick Irving 82431

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SUGGESTION BOX

In effort to reduce the spread of hepatitis-C in its prisons, the Minnesota Department of Correction began advertising in April for a professional tattoo artist. The position pays between $59,000 to $87,000 per year, considerably less than the cost of treatment for 80 to 100 new cases a year (at $20,000 to $75,000 each).

I suggest we do the same.

Source: Jacob Barrett, “Minnesota Department of Correction Searching for Tattooist for New Prison Program,” Prison Legal News Jan. ’23.

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That’s it, everybody. Thanks for checking in, I hope to see you next month.

Shout out Julia with the Idaho Prison Project!

“Fly Away”
— Tones and I