ISCC PRISONERS ALLOWED TO VIEW 2023 SOLAR ECLIPSE

On Saturday October 14, 2023 most ISCC prisoners were granted the opportunity to go outside and view the solar eclipse that was visible from the Boise area from about 10:15 am to about 11:00 am. Although there were hundreds of prisoners outside from the various housing units, (sectioned off by fencing), there were no significant incidents reported according to facility staff.

Each prisoner who chose to go outside to view the eclipse, which is not expected to be visible in this area again until 2039, were provided protective "glasses" with which to see the moon blotting out a portion of the sun. While the temperature was a bit chilly, it was not unbearable, and despite intermittent cloud cover in the area, the spectacle was visible for more than half the time prisoners were allowed to remain outside.

Other than a few hiccups, like an officer announcing to F block prisoners that the "eclipse was being delayed" (rather than saying the opportunity to go outside was being delayed) and some prisoners standing too close to the fencing separating prisoners assigned to different units, things seemingly went well.

This isn't the first time ISCC administrators have allowed prisoners to view a solar eclipse. On August 21, 2017 prisoners were allowed out into the same areas to view the eclipse on that date. In that eclipse, the moon seemed to blot out even more of the sun from the angle from which I was viewing it, and the difference in temperature (during the eclipse than before and after) was more extreme than in 2023.

A hearty THANK YOU to administrators and staff who authorized the viewing of these celestial events. Hopefully prisoners will be able to do this again in 2039 - though preferably without me.