IDOC's NEW RESTRICTIONS ON BOOK VENDORS FOR PRISONERS - REPOST OF IDOC MEMO FROM 4/30/21

In yet another nonsensical solution to the introduction of contraband into Idaho prisons, Chad Page, Chief of Prisons distributed a memorandum (reprinted below) on or about April 30, 2021 which prohibits prisoners, their family, friends - even their lawyers from ordering books to be sent into facilities across the state from the most popular outlets such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

According to some IDOC staff who wish to remain unidentified, the restrictions on books have less to do with contraband, and more to do with the fact that most mailroom duties, the majority of which have traditionally been performed by the South Boise Complex Mailroom (serving the ISCI, SICI, IMSI SWBCC and ISCC) have been shifted to the property staff at the individual facilities.

Under a recently implemented mail processing model, much of the incoming inmate mail which includes photos and the like are sent directly to property officers at the institution where the prisoner is housed for determination of acceptability. This places additional burdens on facility level property staff.

Part of the reason explained for the change in the mailroom is that staff are usually untrained or inexperienced in the mailroom role as most of the contingent are officers who are on "light duty", or other reasons for which they will not or cannot work their regular post. This places both staff (who have to deal with the turnover and frustrations of a new, temporary post and working odd hours) and inmates (who want their mail coming in and going out on time) in very unenviable positions.

There are, and have been significant problems with the SBC mailroom, including the issue of missing (used) postage stamps (see STAMPS OF DISAPPROVAL on this site). More recently, there has been an issue with mailroom staff overcharging outgoing postage to prisoners for packages, and calls for the IDOC to stop requiring prisoners to use first-class rates to mail out all items - even packages - some of which can weigh 30 pounds or more.

So, back to the books. The list of "authorized" book vendors makes it clear that the issue is not a matter of preventing contraband. That the majority of these vendors sell or give away used (3rd party access) books - from where Mr. Page indicates the problem stems - makes it clear that his new rule is pretextual. With visiting having been shut down for more than a year and drugs (contraband) in prison facilities increasing - administrators have to find SOMETHING to blame for the increase, otherwise they have to point their bony-finger of blame at the only other possible source of the contraband... their own staff...

Now that's not the way to increase morale in the troops or instill hope in new hires, now is it?


From: CHAD PAGE, CHIEF OF PRISONS
(Received June 17, 2021 via JPay)

April 30, 2021 Offender Population

FROM: Chad Page, Chief of Prisons
Subject: Approved Vendors for Books

Due to places such as Amazon Marketplace, Bargain Books Store, and Barnes and Noble allowing 3rd parties to have access to incoming books, we have seen a large increase in contraband.

Starting June 1, 2021, all Books and Magazines must come from one of the approved vendors listed below, or directly from the publisher.

This notice will allow you 30 days (April 30th through May 31st) to notify your family of these changes. After May 31st, all incoming books from outside these vendors, or that does not contain a receipt or invoice, will be returned to sender in accordance with SOP 402.02.01.001 Mail Handling in Correctional Facilities, Section 18.

> Edward R Hamilton
> Thrift Books
> Discover Books
> More than Words Prison Book Program
> Books to Prisoners

Also, if you have books sent in through a religious ministry , the ministry must be listed as the publisher on the book.

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Dale Shackelford