Idaho Prison Blog

According to Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 404.02.01.001 (Food Service Management), all IDOC food service operations [which include all prison facilities, work camps, etc.] must meet annual license and inspection requirements for food establishments as described in Idaho Code §39-1604 and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's IDAHO FOOD CODE as detailed in the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act [IDAPA] section 16.02.19 (et. seq). They don't. In case there is any question as to the applicability of these rules, procedures and standards for the provision of safe, unadulterated and honestly presented food for consumption in Idaho prisons, IDAPA 16.02.19.03(b) answers that by specifically designating "correctional facilities" as food establishments subject to the rules. In response to a July 17, 2023 Public Records Request (ID# DS-00069)*, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) officially declared that there we...

Over the past couple years, the JPay system has gotten worse in almost every way, from lack of maintenance on equipment, to quality of systems, apps, tablets and customer "service". Indeed, JPay is exhibiting all the characteristics of a person planning on quitting a job or skipping out on rent without notice. Here are a couple emails from JPay in June and July of 2023 that illustrate this point: ______________ Dear IDOC Resident An app was deployed earlier this month might be causing some issues on your tablets. Jpay is aware of these issues and is diligiently working towards a resolution and hopes to have an update within the next few weeks. Please do not submit any concern forms related to the items below. We appreciate your patience on this matter and apologize for any inconvience [sic] it has caused. > Residents unable to use Law Library on tablets > Residents unable to send/receive Videograms via WIFI on tabletsComm Center app not working on tablets > eOmis app...

In what was recently predicted as an upcoming concern in the post " WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? TO AVOID THE GRINDER AT THE ISCC! " on this site, the issues surrounding the changing of the inmate food menu has taken a drastic turn for the worse at the ISCC. On Sunday July 9, 2023, food service staff sent lunches to the housing units which contained a peanut butter and jelly (sandwich), along with what is described as a "weekend muffin" (1 each) and apple. When the lunches were distributed, prisoners noticed that neither the bread or the muffin were bigger than a standard business card (watch video below). In what's becoming more common at the ISCC staff are allowing/having inmates to do their jobs and perform their duties. In this case, a food service [inmate] clerk - housed on a different tier than what was being fed - was standing over the meals, notebook in hand, as the bags were being distributed. When housing staff were asked by upset and frustrated...

In an effort to influence decisions of Idaho prison administrators in favor of special privileges, housing and other considerations to specific inmates, American Legion "officials" - comprised primarily of prisoners and parolees - have taken to presenting recognition awards and other accolades to ISCC Wardens, creating a conflict of interest and a clear violation of professional responsibilities. During his tenure as the warden of the ISCC, Jay Christensen began receiving several plaques, parchments and other bobbles from the prison Post (prisoners), the state and even the national offices of the American Legion for works - real, exaggerated or imagined - said to have been in service to the Legion and/or the community. With each ceremony - as was the plan - the inmates associated with the American Legion organization at the ISCC received even more special treatment. Before retirement, Christensen had heaped upon these inmates, many of whom aren't even eligible to be membe...

After thousands of taxpayer dollars spent and months of due consideration, study, consultations and examination by experts in nutrition, medicine and other fields applicable to human physiology, the new IDOC prisoner food menu is in full effect as of July 1, 2023. It remains to be seen however how the fare will fare, but early expectations are low, especially when it comes to serving size descriptions, portion manipulation, and especially with chicken grinding. Here's an example... On Day 1 (the menu operates on a 28 day rotation) the mainline (non-special diet) menu calls for serving a "3 oz. Chicken Filet" [amongst other food] for the supper meal. Pretty clear... a piece of chicken that weighs 3 ounces. Instead, on Day 1 - as has been happening for several months (at least at the ISCC) - what is actually served, and the amount served, deviates significantly from what is called for on the menu. For Day 1 supper, breaded chicken patties were ground up into a pan and serve...