ISCC ADMINISTRATORS ADMIT SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR PRIVILEGED INMATES - PUBLIC RECORDS SHOW EXTENT

In the past, "incentive" programs at the ISCC were held to allow prisoners who remained disciplinary offense report (DOR) free for a specific amount of time (usually 6 months) to order items (at their own cost) - usually food such as pizza, burgers, chicken, etc. - from local businesses. The businesses would realize a profit, and a markup of anywhere between 10 and 50 percent would cover [staff] labor costs, and delivery of the food, and an additional markup would be donated to a charity, such as the Idaho Food Bank, Boise Rescue Mission, etc.

By all known accounts, the program was successful in reducing overall violence and promoted positive behavior throughout the facility. Not anymore, as according to ISCC staff, the incentive program is now limited exclusively to the privileged few inmates who have the ear (and possibly other parts) of prison administrators, Based on reports, the incentives provided to these select few privileged inmates also receive priority over constitutionally protected rights of the rest of the prisoner population such as access to religion and recreation.

Published notes of the most recent (so-called) Town Hall meeting (1/3/23) at the ISCC state as follows:

"Incentives are not used to drive good behavior, they just get a benefit for something they are already doing. The focus is to give opportunities for the residents, such as the dog program, bike project, etc. This requires resources, but we are focusing on religious services returning and getting recreation functioning daily. Warden Valley is not looking for food incentives."

As have been identified many times on this site, inmates who are in the "dog program" and American Legion (and Sons of the Legion - exclusively allowed to be involved with the bike project) are considered "privileged" - holding rank and authorities over and above other prisoners at the ISCC. These privileged few are not only allowed to receive and openly wear "street" clothing (clothing other than what is sold through commissary or supplied by the state), but according to public records disclosed on January 19, 2023, these inmates were provided hundreds of dollars of candy bars and other (as yet unidentified) items in less than a year.

Though apparently not complete, available records show that between October, 2021 and October, 2022, ISCC staff used at least $845.97 in tax dollars to provide "incentives" exclusively for these privileged inmates. While most of the funds were spent on chocolate bars (from of all places, Office Depot), records show that $11.67 of your money was paid for a case of hot cocoa, despite the exact same brand of candy bars and hot cocoa being sold on commissary.

It should also be noted that prison administrators used the state's tax exempt status to avoid paying sales tax on these incentive items - items consumed by inmates who would otherwise have had to pay sales tax on the purchase. Either this was a violation of law, or the inmates are considered agents of the state, using the items for a public purpose.

In addition, and quite ironically, despite a ban on possession of stickers or labels (see SOP 402.02.01.001), one such incentive for these special treatment inmates was the purchase of 288 "Scratch 'n Sniff Stinky Stickers" (Source: IDOC Purchase Order 10830111, 08-10-22.). Indeed, mailroom staff routinely tear off adhesive backed postage stamps and other labels from incoming mail/envelopes for that reason.

The purchase records disclosed do not include clothing (sweatshirts, t-shirts and other apparel, some designed for females, or at least altered to appear to be feminine) provided to dog program inmates by the Idaho Humane Society - paid for with your donations to that organization. Funds used to purchase service caps, pins, t-shirts or other accoutrements worn freely up and down the hallways of the ISCC by American Legion inmates (and friends) are also not included.

(Sources for this article include public records disclosures in response to Request Reference No. R007200-010323.)

If you'd like to be emailed a link to new postings on this site, send an email to daleshackelford1@gmail.com with the Subject: "Keep Me in the Loop."