FED EX PACKAGE DELIVERED TO IDAHO PRISON FACILITY SEEMINGLY 'PORCH PIRATED' WHILE IN STATE POSSESSION

On 11/27/23 at 10:09 am, someone identified as C. Wellman at the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) in Kuna, Idaho signed for and received 2 authorized packages addressed to prisoner Dale Shackelford. One of these packages was delivered to Shackelford on 12/4/23. Days later, it was clear the second package, with contents worth over $90.00, had disappeared.

What to do... first, because Shackelford provided the sender of the packages (Blick Art Materials) with his email address with his order, he had emails from Blick detailing the Order number, and tracking numbers of each box (sent via FedEx) - along with a list of contents/value contained in each box. With help from a friend on the outside, Shackelford was able to track both packages and determined when and by whom they were received at the ISCC. Both boxes were delivered and signed for at the same time at the ISCC according to FedEx.

Shortly after learning there were no IDOC employees named C. Wellman, Shackelford filed a public records request asking for records detailing the true name/title of C. Wellman as well as the whereabouts of the packages, and provided individual tracking numbers for both. Shackelford also contacted ISCC property staff, who advised they had only received (and delivered) 1 package (on 12/4/23).

Following other leads, Shackelford asked a friend to telephone the [South Boise Complex] Mailroom. Mailroom staff denied having receiving the second package, and surmised both packages were accidentally delivered to a [prison-related] construction site in the area - and signed for by a worker there. [Obviously this made no sense because 1 package had been delivered to Shackelford.]

Mailroom staff then stated FedEx packages should be addressed to the facility (ISCC) Post Office box (rather than to the physical address) so that Postal Employees could sign for them. This makes no sense either, and seems to be an attempt by IDOC to avoid responsibility for any "lost" packages.

Shackelford then sent a Concern Form to the mailroom (first step in a grievance process) asking for either the package, or reimbursement for contents lost by IDOC. In response (well after the deadline for a reply) mailroom staff accused Shackelford of procuring the packages in violation of policy by not using a check from his account to pay for the materials. However, SOP does not prevent prisoners from establishing an account with a vendor (or providing debit card information) and having that vendor deduct/debit funds from that account/card for goods ordered.

Again, with help from the outside, Shackelford filed a loss claim with both FedEx and Blick. Shackelford also received screen captures of documents via Jpay to provide to the ISCC Property Sergeant. A Concern Form addressed to the Sergeant to advise him of the availability of the documents was intercepted by other staff and returned to Shackelford. Fortunately, Shackelford had discussed the issue of the missing box with a unit Case Manager, who later briefed the Property Sergeant on the problem in passing.

On 12/24/23, Shackelford visited the ISCC Property Room, and an officer stated the box had recently been located. Without further explanation, the officer signed the box (with all contents) over to Shackelford. A very unusual - but welcomed - outcome.

Couple days later, Shackelford received the response to his public records request to IDOC regarding the boxes and information on C.Wellman. Within the documents were some interesting emails and mailroom logs. An ISCC administrative assistant who (for some inexplicable reason) was sent a copy of the public records request by Central Office, sent the public records (Transparency) team an email stating SHE had the package in her office.

So how did package #2 end up at the ISCC when package #1 - delivered to the same person at the ISCC same time according to FedEx records - was logged in as delivered at the mailroom on 11/27/23? Further, why did the assistant let the package sit in her office for more than 3 weeks [FN1] without turning it over to Property staff? Something needs to be done to prevent this type of avoidable situation from reoccurring, resulting in litigation or reimbursements for lost items.

First, there needs to be an IDOC person/post assigned to receive and log packages directly from FedEx/UPS - not the post office (FedEx and UPS state they don't deliver to P.O. Boxes). Second, post orders need to be created to cause errant packages to be tracked, documented, logged and delivered within a time certain. Finally, any 'lost'/'abandoned' items should never be "donated" to any prisoner or prison group - including the American Legion.

A special thanks to my outside contacts, without who's help this issue would be ongoing, and to those staff who assisted in the recovery of my property. Let's hope this article directs attention to a serious issue that can be easily corrected.
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[FN1] SOP 402.02.01.001 requires mail to be delivered within 24 hours of receiving it, yet it is typical for property items mailed in to sit in the ISCC property room for days, if not weeks before delivery to the prisoner. There is no exception made for property mail versus other mail in the SOP.