IDOC CHAPLAINCY VENDOR NO LONGER PROVIDING SERVICES - WHAT'S NEXT?

For more than a decade, Three Oaks [Ministries] has been contracted to provide Volunteer Religious Coordinators (aka, Chaplains) for IDOC facilities around the state - paid for by Inmate Management Fund (IMF) money. According to an email received by IDOC prisoners on September 13, 2022 (presented in its entirety below) the era of 3 Oaks will soon be coming to an end. (NOTE: This information was prophesized in my August 2022 post ISCC REBUKES INMATE RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS WHILE ALLOWING SECULAR GROUPS TO ASSEMBLE on this site.)

Before 3 Oaks, IDOC facilities hired individual "chaplains" to serve as coordinators for religious activities. This changed in the early 2000s when some IDOC facilities contracted with the Idaho Chaplains Corp., a fly-by-night business hurriedly formed by a former chaplain who hurriedly resigned from the Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) (and his friend) once it became known that the IDOC was looking for a company/vendor to fill the facility chaplaincy needs.

According to records obtained from the Idaho Secretary of States Office, this individual (and his friend) formed the Idaho Chaplains Corps. just weeks before the vendor contract was granted to the company by the IDOC, with both individuals (the former Chaplain and his friend) listed as sole owners. One of those individuals currently works for 3 Oaks and is assigned to the ISCC as a Chaplain. The other was previously employed by 3 Oaks, but his whereabouts and connection to the IDOC/3 Oaks are currently unknown.

Based on IDOC policy (at the time), people who had been employed by the Department could not contract with the Department for a minimum period of 6 months. When a prisoner (guess who?) learned of the connection(s) and
complained to administrators, the former IMSI Chaplain (who was listed by the Secretary of State as one of the two owners of Idaho Chaplains Corps.) removed his name from the company paperwork. Six months later - almost to the day - the former Chaplain placed his name back on the list of owners. The IDOC took no remedial action in the matter.

Now, it's learned - according to the email received - that individuals will again be hired to fill the position(s) of facility Chaplain. Of course, one of the individuals described above as a former owner of the Idaho Chaplains Corps. has expressed an interest in the position.

Whether or not the post of Chaplain will be filled by an employee or contractor will make a difference in chapel access or quality of services will have to wait to be seen. Prisoners at the ISCC have had no religious services in the Chapel for several years (see ISCC REBUKES INMATE RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS WHILE ALLOWING SECULAR GROUPS TO ASSEMBLE on this site). Because the position is really one of logistics and security rather than religion, there is no reason that the post, like most throughout IDOC facilities, cannot be filled by corrections officers.

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MSG FROM IDOC - Kirkman

The contract with 3Oaks Ministries for Volunteer and Religious Services will end September 30, 2022. IDOC is working to hire individuals for these positions by October 1 or as soon as possible.

This change in volunteer and religious services from contract to IDOC staff may affect your ability to visit the chapel until a VRC is hired into the position. After September 30, please check with the facility Deputy Warden of Operations, or designee, as to the status of religious services and chapel access.

This change will not affect your ability to continue to order religious items from Keefe commissary during this time. If you have any specific concerns regarding religious or volunteer services at your facility, please direct those to the Deputy Warden of Operations, or designee. If appropriate, concerns will be forwarded to me for a response.

Your patience is appreciated as we move through this transition from contract VRCs to IDOC staff VRCs as quickly as possible.

Jeff Kirkman