IDOC POLICY ON CENSORED EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS - A FOLLOW UP
In a recent blog, I stated that institutional staff are able to communicate with individual prisoners via the JPay email system - at no cost to the state or prisoner. While technically correct, it has come to my attention that institutional staff do not have DIRECT access to the system - but that facility staff send emails to specific prisoners for such matters as appointments, etc. by routing the emails through the IDOC Central Office.
I was called "gullible" by Warden Christensen on this matter during a conversation wherein I cited to him the date and time of emails directed to specific inmates at the ISCC to remind them of Town Hall meetings. In a Concern Form, I again cited the inmate, date and time stamp of the email, only to receive from him a vehement denial in writing that he could send JPay emails and has never done so. He may be telling the truth, but SOMEBODY at ISCC authored the emails - and it proves that the process IS available for use in providing Notice of censored emails as I originally suggested.
So, let's say Warden Christensen, and the latest information that I have received, is correct - these emails can only come from Central Office. Why not this: CHANGE IT!
Alternatively, simply create a centrally located office for censoring all prisoner ECMs - this way, facility staff who are reviewing ECMs aren't sending through the ECMs of one inmate because that inmate is (let's call it "in the favor of staff") while ECMs of other prisoners are sitting in the cue for days, waiting to be reviewed or released. (Yea, I know, staff are not supposed to "cherry-pick" ECMs to review, and are supposed to take the one from the top of the list, but we all know they do - especially if they personally know and really like or dislike the prisoner.)
Take the institutional level review out of the equation and there will be more work done in less time with fewer variations in allowances made on incoming and outgoing ECMs. This office would also have the ability to electronically notify prisoners of confiscactions as is required by both SOP and constitutional Due Process. There would also be better accountability and follow through with required Notice - which is currently critically lacking on this subject.
I was called "gullible" by Warden Christensen on this matter during a conversation wherein I cited to him the date and time of emails directed to specific inmates at the ISCC to remind them of Town Hall meetings. In a Concern Form, I again cited the inmate, date and time stamp of the email, only to receive from him a vehement denial in writing that he could send JPay emails and has never done so. He may be telling the truth, but SOMEBODY at ISCC authored the emails - and it proves that the process IS available for use in providing Notice of censored emails as I originally suggested.
So, let's say Warden Christensen, and the latest information that I have received, is correct - these emails can only come from Central Office. Why not this: CHANGE IT!
Alternatively, simply create a centrally located office for censoring all prisoner ECMs - this way, facility staff who are reviewing ECMs aren't sending through the ECMs of one inmate because that inmate is (let's call it "in the favor of staff") while ECMs of other prisoners are sitting in the cue for days, waiting to be reviewed or released. (Yea, I know, staff are not supposed to "cherry-pick" ECMs to review, and are supposed to take the one from the top of the list, but we all know they do - especially if they personally know and really like or dislike the prisoner.)
Take the institutional level review out of the equation and there will be more work done in less time with fewer variations in allowances made on incoming and outgoing ECMs. This office would also have the ability to electronically notify prisoners of confiscactions as is required by both SOP and constitutional Due Process. There would also be better accountability and follow through with required Notice - which is currently critically lacking on this subject.