2004 Press Releases
December 13, 2004 -- Department sends
math kits to help teachers with K-2 students
December 13, 2004 -- Escapee Surrenders
December 3, 2004 -- Risky IDOC Transport Scheduled
-From Idaho State Correctional Institution -To ID Elks Rehabilitation
Hospital
December 1, 2004 -- North Idaho's Emergency Community
Notification System (ECNS) Put to the Test
November 30, 2004 -- Offender escapes from Nampa CWC
November 24, 2004 -- Offender Death at ISCI
October 19, 2004 -- New Locks Improve Safety
at Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI)
October 5, 2004 -- Corrections Professionals Recognized
at
Idaho Correctional Association (ICA)
October 1, 2004 -- North Idaho Correctional Institution
(NICI) Awarded at 30th Anniversary Celebration
Sept 28, 2004 -- Offender suicide at ISCI
Sept 17, 2004 -- Department Efforts Impact Rider
Population Growth
Aug 31, 2004 -- South Idaho Correctional Institution
Annex Opens 100 New Beds for Offenders in Community Work Center
Aug 16,2004 -- Ada County Opens Annex to IDOC
Female Offenders
July 30,2004 -- Department Prepares to Open SICI
Annex
July 14,2004 -- Probation, Parole and Community Supervision
Officer’s Week July 18 - 24
July 1,2004 -- Innovation key to prison population
reduction
June 30,2004 -- Offender
captured in Bannock County
June 30,2004 -- Offender walks
away from work crew
June 16,2004 -- Idaho and Utah Host Western Corrections
Directors
May 14,2004 -- Correctional Officers stop Escape Attempt
Apr 16, 2004 -- Prison Population reaches new High
Apr 16, 2004 -- Board of Correction Decision
Apr 12, 2004 -- ICIO Marks 20 years of Service
Apr 06, 2004 -- Walk-away Updates
Apr 02, 2004 -- Fackrell suicide
Mar 30, 2004 -- Coronado suicide
Mar 24, 2004 -- CWCN Walk-away
Mar 24, 2004 -- White Bison Graduation Ceremony
Mar 11, 2004 -- Victim Information Hotline Marks
First Year
Mar 09, 2004 -- Robert Janss School Accredited
Feb 23, 2004 -- Walk Away Surrenders
Feb 20, 2004 -- Probation and Parole Officer identifies
suspect in bomb threats
Feb 06, 2004 -- Offender walks away in Nampa
Feb 06, 2004 -- NICI Officer Honored
Feb 05, 2004 -- New Leaders Chosen
Feb 02, 2004 -- Offender death at IMSI
Jan 30, 2004 -- Oldham to lead Correctional Industries
Jan 14, 2004 -- Changes help department avoid $18-million in costs
For more information, contact the IDOC Public Information Office:
Teresa Jones
Public Information Officer
(208) 658-2138
tjones@corr.state.id.us
Department sends math kits to help teachers
with K-2 students
December 14, 2004 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION --- When Idaho’s kindergarten,
first-, and second-grade teachers return to school after the holiday break,
they will find a present from the State Department of Education -- a new
tool to help improve student math skills.
This week, finishing touches were made to more than 2,600 K-2 Mathematics
Inventory Kits that will be shipped by Idaho Correctional Industries this
month to all of Idaho’s elementary schools.
The math inventory was developed by teachers for teachers to use in evaluating
the math skills of Idaho’s youngest students. Using the kit, teachers
ask students to complete a variety of grade-appropriate math tasks. Because
students are asked to demonstrate what they know, the results provide
insight into the different approaches individual students take to solving
math problems.
“This powerful tool gives me information about individual thinking
and understanding which is far more beneficial than just seeing right
or wrong answers on a traditional test,” said Lucy Hahn, a Boise
teacher who helped the department create the inventory. “And I love
that the information is for ‘me,’ the classroom teacher, to
use when making instructional decisions in my classroom.”
The tasks on the math inventory are based on what the state expects its
youngest students to know and be able to do in math as identified in Idaho’s
Achievement Standards. The inventory can be used at the start of the school
year to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses or later to
measure whether a student has mastered math concepts.
“We have had teachers asking for a tool like this for a long time,”
said Pat White of the State Department of Education. “We are excited
to be able to meet this need and see it as an effective way to help teachers
align instruction with the needs of students.”
Providing the kits was possible through a partnership with the Idaho Department
of Correction. Idaho Correctional Industries printed the instruction books,
ordered the components, and will ensure that kits will arrive at each
elementary school in Idaho during the winter break.
Correctional Industries provides jobs and helps create vocational skills
for offenders, so they are better prepared when they return to the community.
The cost-savings make the partnership a good deal for taxpayers as well.
Escapee Surrenders
December 13, 2004 Nampa --- -An offender who escaped from the Nampa Community
Work Center (CWC) on November 30, has turned himself in. Jonathan Cleve
Petzoldt was taken back into custody at 5:25 p.m. Friday evening (December
10th).
Work Center Manager Lieutenant George Baird and US Marshall Dan
Stanford responded to a call from Petzold Friday evening. They picked
up the offender at his mother's house and transported him to the Canyon
County Jail. Petzold now faces escape charges.
The 31-year-old offender is serving time for possession of a
controlled substance and leaving the scene of an accident. Both
convictions were out of Canyon County.
Risky IDOC Transport Scheduled -From Idaho
State Correctional Institution -To ID Elks Rehabilitation Hospital
December 3, 2004 Boise --- Offender volunteers at ISCI have taken holiday
gingerbread houses to the next level. Tomorrow, Idaho Elks Rehabilitation
Hospital will receive an eight- by four-foot gingerbread amusement park,
pending the successful transportation and donation of the fragile structure.
The park is being delivered tomorrow. It includes intricate candy components
such as a Santa’s sleigh roller coaster, ferris wheel and carousel.
The ornate amusement park was designed by two offenders. They volunteered
to take on the holiday project in addition to the full-time jobs they
hold within Idaho State Correctional Institution. They said they wanted
to do it for the children and once they got started, the idea just continued
to grow.
The fifth creation produced at the prison, it is the largest and most
intricate so far. It already endured one catastrophe when a box fell off
the store-room shelf, crushing the carousel. The horses were re-designed,
the roller coaster was repaired and the structure is ready in plenty of
time to bring holiday cheer to the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital.
More than 1,000 hours have been put into the gingerbread project by
two offenders.
Officer Scott Spackman oversaw the two offenders who did all the design
and work
It’s the fifth and most ornate gingerbread project Officer Scott
Spackman has overseen over the years. Past projects have included a train,
Noah’s Ark, a castle and a church.
For children who just can’t resist the edible temptation, wrapped
candy was put along the sides of the display and is fully “pickable.”
The gingerbread structure will be displayed in the first floor lobby
of Elks Rehabilitation, should the delicate transportation be a success.
Lobby furniture is being rearranged to accommodate the large decoration.
For more information:
Stacy McBain, 658-2141
Public Information Officer
Idaho Department of Correction
Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital
600 N. Robbins Road
Boise, ID 83702
Switchboard 489-4444
North Idaho's Emergency Community Notification
System (ECNS) Put to the Test
December 1, 2004 Cottonwood---North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI)
recently tested its Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS) that
alerts registered community members in case of an escape from NICI. About
120 registered users were phoned within fifteen minutes of a mock escape
on November 16, 2004.
The test was considered a success when all but eight of the
registered community members received a phone call or message within one
hour. The computerized system can dial everyone on the list as many as
four times per hour if necessary. Had it been a real escape, IDOC or local
law enforcement officers would have been dispatched to homes of residents
who could not be reached (due to busy signals or no answers). The trial
notification of capture was conducted an hour later with similar success.
Most of the people registered for North Idaho Correctional
Institution's Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS) live within
a 15-mile radius of the facility. Originally, NICI notified its
neighbors of an escape by dividing and personally dialing the call list.
The new system is faster and more efficient. Area residents wishing to
register for notification can contact Sheryl Westhoff at NICI 962-3276.
ECNS is unique to North Idaho and was innovated upon request using
the technology available to Idaho through the VINE system (Victim
Information and Notification Everyday). VINE is a toll-free, 24-hour
telephone hotline allowing users to check on offender custody status
updates and register for automatic notification of release, escape or
moves. The Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) and the
Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS) are funded by the U.S.
Department of Justice and the Idaho State Police through a Byrne Grant.
Offender escapes from Nampa CWC
November 30, 2004 Nampa -- An offender escaped from the Nampa Community
Work Center just after 4pm this afternoon (Tuesday, November 30th). Jonathan
Cleve Petzoldt ran out of the work center after staff told him he was
being moved to a higher security facility.
Petzoldt bolted out the door and ran to the nearby I-84 freeway.
Staff chased him but lost sight of him as he went under the freeway
overpass in the westbound lanes. Department of Correction Probation and
Parole Officers, Work Center staff and the Nampa Police are all working
to track down Petzoldt.
Petzoldt is 31 years old. He was serving time for possession of a
controlled substance and leaving the scene of an accident. Both
convictions were out of Canyon County.
Petzoldt is 5'7", 140 pounds. He has blue eyes and blonde hair. He
was last seen wearing tan corduroy pants and a gray pullover sweatshirt.
If you see Petzoldt please call Nampa Police at 465-2257.
Offender Death at ISCI
November 24, 2004 Boise -- An inmate committed suicide at the Idaho
State Correctional Institution (ISCI) early this morning (November 24).
38-year-old Martin Alan Flagg of Missoula MT was serving time for two
counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 16.
Flagg was discovered around 4:30 a.m. by another offender. Ada County
Deputies and the Ada County Coroner responded to ISCI as part of standard
procedure. The coroner confirmed the cause of death is asphyxiation. (Flagg
hanged himself in the tier bathroom.)
Martin Alan Flagg # 74236 had been incarcerated since July of this year.
He was serving a seven to 15 year sentence that he received in Payette
County.
New Locks Improve Safety at Idaho Maximum
Security Institution (IMSI)
October 19, 2004 Boise -- Today, staff at Idaho Maximum Security Institution
(IMSI) demonstrated a new locking and electronics system that improves
safety at the facility where Idaho’s most violent criminals are
housed. The new system is now fully installed in the A Block and construction
is underway on the remaining portion of the institution.
The new locks replace an outdated system that has been in place since
the facility opened, 15 years ago this month. The previous system was
prone to frequent malfunctions that triggered cell doors to open at random,
endangering the professionals who work there.
As part of the new security system, clear floors and cameras enhance
visibility. The cameras in Block A allow officers to zoom in on doorways
and areas where visibility previously was impaired. IMSI Warden Greg Fisher
believes the increased likeliness of getting caught on film will deter
offenders from committing crimes inside the prison walls.
The Department asked for funding to replace the aging system as failures
increased. Lawmakers committed approximately $3 million dollars to the
project during the 2003 Legislative session.
IMSI has boosted security measures during the construction process.
Correctional professionals have used key control and manually cranked
open heavy metal doors throughout the transition to the new system. One
example of the challenges innate to construction at a close-custody institution
was illustrated when an offender threw water on a contractor who was working
on alarm wiring. Professionals at IMSI also have been watching closely
for stray construction materials that can be used as weapons.
“We’re extremely pleased with the new security system and
the safety improvements that it brings to IMSI,” says Warden Greg
Fisher.
The project is expected to be complete in January.
Corrections Professionals Recognized at Idaho Correctional Association
(ICA)
October 5, 2004 Boise -- Corrections professionals all through the state
were honored at the Idaho Correctional Association’s 17th annual
convention, late September in Boise. Several outstanding teams and individuals
were recognized for contributions to community safety, cost savings or
innovative thinking. Board of Correction awards also were presented at
the annual training conference.
The event united professionals from both adult and juvenile corrections.
Attendees shared key learnings and attended training seminars headed by
guest speakers and corrections experts from throughout the United States.
Below please find a list of award recipients from your area:
2004 Idaho Correctional Association (ICA) Awards
The Feldner Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Rudy Evenson,
a recent IDOC retiree who spent more than 20 years implementing positive
changes within the Department. Evenson formed a long list of career accomplishments
during his time, serving as Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Programs
Coordinator within Community Corrections. He wrote probation and parole
policy and procedures for work centers, took the lead role in annual audits,
and gained accreditation for all of the community work centers within
Idaho. Since retirement, he has continued to offer his expertise to the
Department on a consulting basis.
The Cutting Edge Award was presented to Probation and Parole District
2 office in Lewiston for developing a process of re-directing supervision
resources toward the probationers or parolees demonstrating the most risk.
In a move that emphasized community safety, the team in Lewiston created
a “hot list” of high-risk offenders, strengthened their partnership
with law enforcement and treatment specialists, and increased home visits
among those offenders.
Robert Jones, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Lewiston
Renee Behrens, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Lewiston
Bill Schrupp, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Lewiston
Denise Farmer, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Lewiston
Clinton Hoiland, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Lewiston
A team of employees working on the Community Model at South Idaho Correctional
Institution (SICI) earned the Cutting Edge Award. They developed a positive,
law-abiding, community-living environment, for offenders assigned to work
projects within the institution. Offenders were tasked with holding themselves
and each other accountable for day-to-day actions. The SICI team helped
offenders develop positive social skills by assigning them various roles
within the community model.
Billie Finley, Sergeant, now at SBWCC Nampa
Rick Carver, Correctional Officer Nampa
Kevin Butler, Work Projects Correctional Officer Boise
Elliot Weiss, Drug and Alcohol Counselor Eagle
Nate Mink, Correctional Officer Weiser
Jerry Alvarez, Work projects Correctional Officer Mountain Home
Jeff Thomas, Work Projects Correctional Officer Meridian
Tom Legg, Work Projects Correctional Officer Emmett
Misty King, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer earned the Extra Mile Award
for developing community education programs. She also works on the narcotics
detection K-9 unit, carries a 75-offender caseload and is a supportive
office leader.
Misty King, Sr. Probation and Parole Officer Boise
Ken Newbold, Correctional Officer, earned the Extra Mile Award for his
work supervising offender work crews during construction of the Saint
Anthony Work Camp annex. He coordinated with contractors, directed offender
work crews and saved the Department thousands of dollars.
Ken Newbold, Correctional Officer Saint Anthony
2004 Board of Correction Awards
Employee of the Year was awarded to Lorie Brisbin for her respect for
staff, supervisors, offenders and the public, as well as her many skills
that contribute to the Department’s mission and goals. Brisbin has
helped introduced re-entry training statewide to management, staff, and
external stakeholders. By facilitating communication between prisons,
the Parole Commission and community corrections, she has ensured on-time
offender release. Brisbin also was appointed by Governor Kempthorne to
a nationwide Policy Academy for chronically homeless, that will develop
policies that allow states to access HUD funds.
Lorie Brisbin, Parole Coordinator Boise
The IDOC Silver Cross Award was presented to Zach Helbach of Boise for
displaying prompt and alert actions that resulted in life savings. He
performed the Heimlich maneuver on an employee who was choking until the
employee’s airway was cleared. He also performed life-saving CPR
on an offender.
Zach Helback, Correctional Sergeant Boise
The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to George Baird of Nampa.
As the manager of the Nampa Community Work Center, Lieutenant Baird has
made continuous career achievements. During his 23 year tenure with IDOC,
he has crossed the boundaries between prison operations and community
corrections in an open, honest and ethical manner.
Lieutenant George Baird, Nampa Community Work Center Manager Nampa
The Community Contribution and Partnership Award was presented to Jim
Denney of Bethel Ministries for displaying uncommon commitment to the
corrections profession through a partnership. He strengthened IDOC’s
partnership with Bethel Ministries, a Christian organization committed
to helping house offenders. His efforts have saved IDOC money and protected
our community, by housing community corrections offenders and improving
offender oversight and accountability.
Jim Denney, Bethel Ministries Board of Directors member Boise
For more information, a photo or interviews with local award recipients:
Stacy McBain, 658-2141
Public Information Officer
North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI)
Awarded at 30th Anniversary Celebration
October 1, 2004 Cottonwood -- North Idaho Correctional Institution celebrated
its 30th anniversary with a look back and a glimpse ahead. Staff at the
Cottonwood facility were honored by the Idaho Department of Correction
for recent improvements and cost-savings initiatives made within the rider
program.
The team at NICI implemented initiatives that will add up to $1.6
million in cost-avoidance for taxpayers. IDOC Director Tom Beauclair and
Board of Correction member Carolyn Meline presented the IDOC
Distinguished Service Medal to the team at NICI during the anniversary
celebration on Wednesday, September 29.
Director Tom Beauclair applauded the work at NICI, saying, ''Staff
at Cottonwood have made tremendous improvements in the system. This couldn't
have been done without education, security, the programming staff, or
the hard-charging efforts of the entire NICI team.''
The more rapid movement of offenders through the institution is
among the most significant improvements made in the rider program. Further
efforts resulted in intensified treatment programs, an increase of vocational
rehabilitation services, and the award of 250 GEDs to offenders last year.
Education and employment are two factors that have been shown to affect
success as offenders are re-integrated into the community. More than two-thirds
of riders are successful, meaning they stay out of prison.
When NICI opened 30 years ago, there was less than 500 offenders
incarcerated in all of Idaho. The institution began with 13 original
staff. Today, NICI employs 76 area residents and houses 382 offenders.
Despite many changes, the institution has stayed focused on providing
education.
''Education has been the mainstay of our programs here at NICI
since day one,'' Warden Lynn Guyer said.
NICI Warden Lynn Guyer thanked several attendees including Judge
Bradbury, former Cottonwood Mayor Ladd Arnoti, Board of Correction member
Carolyn Meline, Idaho Department of Correction Director Tom Beauclair,
and original staff members Jim Rehder and Terry Turner.
NICI is Idaho's male rider facility. The Rider Program provides
intense treatment, education and vocational rehabilitation services to
offenders, who often remain in the program for three to four months. Judges
retain jurisdiction over riders while they are incarcerated, and sentence
them to prison or probation upon completion of the rider program.
Offender suicide at ISCI
September 28, 2004 Boise -- An inmate committed suicide at the Idaho
State Correctional Institution early Monday morning (September 27). 45-year-old
Tommy Leon Stephenson was serving time for lewd and lascivious conduct
with a minor under 16.
An officer discovered Stephenson during a routine tier check at 5:34
a.m. Ada County detectives and the Ada County Coroner responded to ISCI
as part of standard procedure. The coroner confirms the cause of death
is asphyxiation due to hanging. (Stephenson used a bed sheet to hang himself.)
Tommy Leon Stephenson, #42500, was serving a 25 years-to-life sentence
for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 16. He was sentenced
in Idaho County and had been incarcerated since December 1994.
The Department of Correction has launched a Serious Incident Review.
Department Efforts Impact Rider Population
Growth
Sept 17, 2004 Cottonwood -- The efforts undertaken by the Department
of Correction to ease population growth in the retained jurisdiction,
or rider, program are having an impact. The rider population increased
significantly this spring and threatened to clog the entire prison
system. The department responded. Measures undertaken by Idaho
Department of Correction are reducing the population and saving
taxpayers more than one million dollars this year.
The Department placed temporary cots in the gymnasium at Idaho's male
rider facility, North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) in
Cottonwood. This effort, combined with added staff and substantial
program changes, will offset rider population growth through 2007, IDOC
analysts predict.
Since June, the male rider population has dropped by approximately 100
offenders. The quick response managed what could have been a long-term
population problem. But a series of operational and program changes are
creating a long-term, positive impact on the rider population instead.
This year, the Department will push three hundred more offenders
through the program-focused rider system than it could two years ago.
Length of stay is shorter, and more intense programs have been
developed.
- A New Direction and Varied Level of Service are 90-day intensive
substance abuse treatment programs that move offenders through
programming one month faster.
- Programming staff and correctional officers have added treatment
hours to each day.
- IDOC also is sending offenders back to court more immediately, upon
program completion.
- The Department is providing judges with more efficient offender
analysis reports (APSI reports).
- The newly optimized community rider program has expedited and
strengthened community treatment options.
- Last fall, boot camp was eliminated from the Cottonwood program.
Research indicates boot camps are not effective in changing behavior.
This change also improved program efficiency.
Overall, the more efficient movement of riders through Cottonwood will
allow Idaho taxpayers to avoid more than $1 million in incarceration
costs for this population, during this fiscal year.
The benefit of these changes will continue into the future. The new
Idaho Population Forecast for Fiscal Year 2005 reflects the changes
implemented by the department and courts. The Forecast anticipates that,
instead of growing, the rider population will drop by approximately 150
offenders in Fiscal Year 2005, due to the changes. The overall
incarcerated population, including term, parole violators and riders,
is
anticipated to increase by 169 inmates in FY05. Long term, the new
forecast anticipates 1,377 additional incarcerated offenders by June
2008. Each incarcerated offender costs the department approximately
$15,000 per year.
Please see anniversary invitation and rider facts below.
The Rider Program
The rider program is unlike conventional sentences because judges retain
jurisdiction over the offenders while they are incarcerated. Offenders
are sent to NICI to be treated, evaluated and then returned to the judge
for a sentencing determination. The rider program often is the last stop
before prison. It is a research-based system that focuses on "what
works" - treatment, programs and education. The rider sentence is
designed to rehabilitate offenders so they may lead successful lives in
the community. More than two-thirds of Riders successfully achieve this
goal and stay out of prison.
You are invited to attend a 30th anniversary celebration at NICI on Wednesday,
September 29. More information, including times and speakers, will follow
next week.
South Idaho Correctional Institution Annex Opens 100 New Beds
for Offenders in Community Work Center
Aug 31, 2004 Boise --- Today, the Department of Correction unveiled
a remodeled agricultural facility that was converted into a Community
Work Center to help manage Idaho’s growing prison population. IDOC
hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting dedication at the revamped facility,
where Administrator of Operations Pam Sonnen cut a ribbon held by SICI
Warden Ken Bennett and Correctional Work Center Manager, Lieutenant Kapri
Zmuda.
When the SICI Annex officially opens to offenders on September 20, it
will provide low-cost, permanent beds for 100 community custody offenders.
The opening of the SICI Annex also will offer some relief in a prison
system that has operated over 100 percent capacity for two years.
Remodeling the existing structure instead of building a new facility was
a cost-effective approach that saved $1.5 to $2 million. The general fund
operating costs of a work center also are significantly lower (40 percent)
than the operating cost of jail beds. Mostly Federal funding was used
to refurbish the SICI Annex.
The Annex is expanding the transitional Community Work Center program
at SICI by thirty offenders. Community Work Centers not only help defray
incarceration costs and transition offenders, but also contribute to community
safety. Research shows that CWC offenders recidivate at a lower rate after
nine months of participation in the transitional program.
Idaho’s incarcerated population grew by 486 offenders between
June 2003 and June 2004 and is projected to grow by more than 900 offenders
over the next three years, without significant external changes. Today,
there are 6,290 offenders incarcerated in Idaho, bringing operating capacity
back down to 102 percent. More than 450 offenders currently are housed
in county jails.
Ada County Opens Annex to IDOC Female Offenders
Aug 16,2004 Boise --- A Department of Correction bus will deliver the
first group of female offenders to the Ada County Jail today. The IDOC
signed a deal with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office to re-open a
68-bed annex to house female offenders. Thirty-two female retained jurisdiction
(Rider) offenders will arrive at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2004. Another
group of IDOC offenders will arrive tomorrow.
The annex, which will house all types of female offenders, is one of
the ways the IDOC is managing the growing female population. The female
prison population grew 13% during the last fiscal year. Females comprise
the fastest growing offender population in the system.
Currently, there are 209 female Riders in the system. South Boise Women’s
Correctional Center, the state’s only female Rider facility, houses
120 offenders. The Ada County facility will not be a rider program, but
will help speed up transition to and from the South Boise rider facility.
“We appreciate the partnership with Ada County,” says Pam
Sonnen, Administrator of Operations. “This Ada County facility provides
an important hub and helps with transportation needs for our female offenders.”
“This is a win-win situation. It not only helps the Department,
but at the same time it keeps revenues in Idaho and helps offset the cost
to Ada County taxpayers,” stated Ada County Undersheriff Gary Raney.
The Department and Ada County have a one-year agreement to house state
inmates in Ada County Annex.
The Ada County Sheriff’s Office will facilitate tours and interviews
with Ada County officials. To arrange to see the facility anytime after
3:30 p.m. today contact: Bethany Elam at 321-2819.
Department Prepares to Open SICI Annex
July 30, 2004 Boise --- The Department of Correction is preparing to
open a remodeled facility to help manage Idaho’s growing prison
population. The Kempthorne Administration has approved funding to hire
14 staff for the South Idaho Correctional Institution (SICI) Annex. When
the 100-bed Annex opens in early October, it will house 100 community
custody offenders.
In a letter to Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee co-chairs Sen.
Dean Cameron and Rep. Maxine Bell, Division of Financial Management (DFM)
Administrator Brad Foltman said the newly remodeled SICI Annex will save
the state General Fund $11.53 per day per offender.
Federal funding was used to convert the SICI Annex from an agricultural
building into a Community Work Center for offenders.
The opening of the SICI Annex will provide some relief in a prison system
that is routinely over 100% capacity. Idaho’s incarcerated population
grew by 486 offenders between June 2003 and June 2004. Today, there are
6,317 offenders incarcerated in Idaho.
Since January, the Department has added more than 250 beds using tents,
cots and a few permanent beds at existing facilities. Tents placed at
South Idaho Correctional Institution and St. Anthony Work Camp house offenders.
Cots are another temporary measure being used to manage some of the growth.
Cots are in place at the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center and
North Idaho Correctional Institution.
The Department is working closely with the Governor’s office and
lawmakers to address the population issues.
Initiatives undertaken by the Governor, Legislature, the Department
of Correction and its partners in the criminal justice system have helped
stabilize the prison population growth for about 18 months. Without those
initiatives, the current prison population would be more than 7,000. Growth
is expected to continue. Current projections indicate that Idaho’s
prison population will grow by more than 900 offenders over the next three
years without significant external changes.
Idaho’s prison population grew 8.4% during FY04. Idaho is not
alone. Nationwide, prison populations experienced their largest increase
in four years in 2003. The number of state and federal prisoners grew
by more than 2.9 %.
FACT SHEET
Utilizing existing resources, IDOC converted its old agricultural facility
into the SICI Annex, a 100-bed Community Work Center (CWC). This move
opens space for the increasing number of offenders, and funnels them into
one of the most effective transitional environments – a work center.
CWCs a Sound Option
Community Work Centers are effective transitional facilities. They help
defray incarceration costs, otherwise incurred by the state. Through CWCs,
offenders are able to save money for housing, gain work experience and
generate employment opportunities. These factors have been shown to enable
a successful re-entry into the community.
Inmate workers returned more than $1.54 million to Idaho Department of
Correction (IDOC) last year, helping defray their incarceration costs.
CWC residents donated a total of 1,518 community hours last year.
Offenders eligible for CWCs are typically within one year of a potential
parole or release date and are of the lowest custody level.
There are five work centers operating across the state.
Cost Efficiencies
Remodeling an existing building on IDOC land was significantly more cost-effective
than purchasing new land and building from scratch.
It cost $1,083,551 to convert the annex from agricultural facility to
offender-ready housing.
Typically, a 100-bed facility would cost $2.5 - $3 million to build.
The conversion was completed in less than a year. It was funded mostly
from a Federal grant; $100 thousand came from the state.
The Kempthorne Administration approved 14 new full-time employees to staff
the facility.
Probation, Parole and Community Supervision
Officer’s Week July 18 - 24
July 14, 2004 Boise --- Community Corrections professionals enhance the
safety of their communities by supervising and treating nearly 10,000
individuals on probation or parole statewide. To honor the duties performed
by these individuals, Governor Kempthorne has declared the week of July
18th Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Officer's Week.
During the past year, the Department of Correction has elevated community
safety by initiating a system that is more immediate, consistent and treatment-based.
A specialized re-entry parole officer in each district begins to manage
an individual case and assist in housing arrangements prior to an offender's
release. By focusing on re-entry and specialized programming, community
corrections officers are upholding public safety by providing the fundamental
elements of successful reintegration into the community.
According to Governor Kempthorne's proclamation, "Community justice
and community safety are enhanced both by their efforts to monitor the
activities of offenders under community supervision, and by their efforts
to provide effective substance abuse and other treatment programs…."
In Idaho, there currently are more than 8,000 probationers and 1,750
parolees in the community corrections system. Between June 2003 and June
2004, more than 3,800 offenders were released from Idaho prisons.
Deputy Administrator of Operations, Dave Nelsen said, "Probation
and parole officers maintain a significant and interactive role in the
judicial process by enforcing community safety and holding offenders accountable."
Each district is holding events to celebrate and honor professionals
in community corrections:
District 1 Coeur d’ Alene Family event at Triple Play Fun Park
July 23, 6-9 p.m.
District 2 - Lewiston Barbecue at Hells Gate State Park July 22, 6 p.m.
District 3 - Caldwell Bowling party at Caldwell Bowl July 21, 11 a.m.–2
p.m.
District 4 - Boise Appreciation events at Municipal Park July 20, 2-8
p.m.
District 5 - Twin Falls Golf scramble and BBQ in Gooding July 22, 9:30
a.m.
District 6 - Pocatello BBQ at the Pocatello Police Cabin July 21, 11 a.m.
with D7 and St. Anthony Work Camp staff
District 7 - Idaho Falls BBQ at the Pocatello Police Cabin July 21, 11
a.m. with D6 and St. Anthony Work Camp staff
Innovation key to prison population
reduction
July 1, 2004 COEUR D’ALENE --- Innovation and cooperation were
identified as two keys to coping with growing prison populations around
the nation. Directors from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona,
Utah, and Nevada attended the First Annual Western Director’s Conference
in Coeur d’Alene in June. Current trends in corrections were the
springboard for many of the discussions at the conference.
Dan Wilhem from the VERA Institute of Justice told the Directors some
states are focusing on diverting drug offenders from prison and treating
them in communities to save money and have an impact on growing prison
populations nationwide. Other states are reviewing and reducing mandatory
minimum sentences for certain crimes. Wilhelm highlighted interagency
planning as essential in an environment where there are more offenders
and severe budget constraints. He talked about creating partnerships to
prevent incarceration as well as enhancing efforts to help smooth offenders
transition back to communities. Idaho’s Legislative support for
funding of programming in communities was one of the creative pieces of
legislation Wilhelm highlighted.
Wilhelm and other presenters also focused on the importance of re-entry
plans for offenders. Since more than 95% of all prisoners return to communities,
successful re-entry is the best way to ensure community safety. Wilhelm
sited a law passed by the 2003 Idaho Legislature as one of many around
the country supporting the concept of re-entry. Utah’s Administrator
of Prisons, Annabelle Brough, presented information on establishing case
plans as an offender arrives in prison that begins preparing them for
re-entry into communities.
Presenters included individuals from the Idaho Department of Health
& Welfare, US Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections,
and the VERA Institute.
Utah and Idaho’s Corrections Directors co-hosted this First Annual
Western Director’s Conference. Next year’s event will be held
in Portland, Oregon.
Beauclair named President of Western Association Group
During the conference, the Western Association of State Correctional Administrators
selected Idaho Department of Correction Director Tom Beauclair as the
group’s president. Beauclair has worked at the Idaho Department
of Correction for 30 years, beginning his career as a correctional officer
in 1972. He has worked in many areas of corrections including security,
community corrections and treatment.
Offender captured in Bannock County
June 30, 2004 FORT HALL---Bannock County deputies recaptured an offender
who walked away from a work camp assignment near Emmett overnight. Joseph
Lee Garren was apprehended after Bannock County deputies spotted a stolen
pick-up near Fort Hall. They chased the vehicle and captured Garren in
the stolen Dodge pick-up about 9:40am.
Garren was reported as a walk-away about 5:30am this morning. Gem County
authorities reported a pick-up was stolen about 7:36 and suspected it
might be connected with Garren’s disappearance. An all points bulletin
was issued to locate Garren and the stolen pick-up.
The 23-year-old Garren was part of a work crew from South Idaho Correctional
Institution (SICI) assigned to thin trees in a forest near Emmett. Garren
was in camp at 10pm last night. He was not present when a 5am check was
performed.
Garren was serving time on five convictions:
Grand Theft-Bingham County
Arson, 3rd degree-Bingham County
Grand Theft-Bannock County
Presentation of Stolen Lottery Ticket-Bannock County
Burglary-Bannock County
Gem County and Bannock County authorities will determine if new charges
will be filed in the escape and vehicle theft.
Offender walks away from work crew
June 30, 2004 NEAR EMMETT---An offender serving time for grand theft
and arson walked away from his assignment on a work-crew overnight. Joseph
Lee Garren was reported as a walk-away about 5:30am this morning.
The 23-year-old Garren was part of a work crew from South Idaho Correctional
Institution (SICI) assigned to thin trees in a forest near Emmett. Garren
was in camp at 10pm last night. He was not present when a 5am check was
performed.
Garren is a white male, 6 feet, 200 pounds with brown hair and blue
eyes. (His photo is attached.) He has a tattoo on his left arm that is
a heart with the word “Love” inside. On his right shoulder
he has the phrase “Cowyboy up” tattooed along with a heart
and a knife.
Garren was serving time on five convictions:
Grand Theft-Bingham County
Arson, 3rd degree-Bingham County
Grand Theft-Bannock County
Presentation of Stolen Lottery Ticket-Bannock County
Burglary-Bannock County
The Gem County Sheriff’s office is investigating as well as investigators
from the Department of Correction. If citizens see someone matching Garren’s
description they should contact the Idaho State Police, local police or
the local County Sheriff’s office.
Idaho and Utah Host Western Corrections
Directors
June 16, 2004 Coeur d’Alene---Corrections leaders from across the West
will gather in Coeur d’Alene Thursday and Friday for the first annual
Western Director’s Conference. Idaho Department of Correction Director
Thomas Beauclair and Utah Department of Correction Director Mike Chabries are
co-hosting the regional gathering for Directors of Correction.
The two-day conference will bring together corrections leaders from eight
western states. The group will discuss current trends in prisons and community
corrections.
Friday workshops will feature information on the Correctional Integration
System, a information gathering system that allows departments to more easily
track all aspects of offenders much more efficiently and in a comprehensive
manner.
The conference takes place on Thursday and Friday, June 17-18th. It will be
held at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn. States attending include
Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Correctional Officers stop Escape Attempt
May 14, 2004 Orofino---Quick action by correctional officers stopped an escape
attempt by two inmates at the Orofino prison. The inmates both worked in the
kitchen. They were taking trash outside the building about 3:45 Friday morning
when they attempted to escape by pushing aside an officer and trying to scale
the razor wire fence that secures the compound at Idaho State Correctional
Institution-Orofino (ICIO).
Correctional Officer Lee Harrington sprayed both offenders with O.C. spray
before they were able to get over the fence. The offenders surrendered. Both
required stitches for cuts received as they tried to scale the razor wire at
the fence top. The officer pushed aside was not injured in the escape attempt.
The inmates involved are 42-year-old Todd Robert Briggs. Briggs is serving
25 years to life for first degree murder and two concurrent sentences for aggravated
battery. He was sentenced in Bonneville County in July 2002. 39-year-old Dean
Allen Harrell was the second inmate involved in the attempted escape. He is
serving a sentence of 25 years to life for rape. He was sentenced in Cassia
County in 1999.
Warden Kevin Kempf called staff action commendable, “Our officers did
a great job of stopping this attempt. They reacted quickly to stop the threat
and protect the public.”
The Clearwater County Sheriff is investigating the incident and will decide
what new charges should be filed. Prison Population reaches new High
Apr 16, 2004 Orofino---Idaho’s prison population has reached an all-time
high. There are 6,085 offenders incarcerated by the Idaho Department of Correction
today (April 16, 2004). The population has grown by 255 since November 1st
of last year. The department has managed prison facilities at 99-100% of capacity
for nearly two years, but the population started climbing in November. Now
all prison beds and most available county jail beds are full.
Director Tom Beauclair briefed the Board of Correction on the population
growth during a Thursday Board Meeting at the Orofino prison (Idaho Correctional
Institution-Orofino.) “Budget is critical,” Beauclair told the
Board. “Our expectation is that there will be zero budget during the
next year with a prison population that is expected to grow by 265 offenders
in that same time.”
To manage the growth, the department has added tents to the St. Anthony Work
Camp. The tents were placed inside the fence at the eastern Idaho prison the
first week in April. They house 75 offenders. Cots were added to the North
Idaho Correctional Center in Cottonwood, increasing the capacity by 15 in that
facility. More tents will be added inside the compound at the South Idaho Correctional
Institution south of Boise. Those tents will house 50 offenders and will go
up the third week of April.
The department is currently converting an agricultural building south of
Boise to house a 100-bed work center. The South Idaho Correctional Institution
Annex should be completed in June, but was not funded to open. But Director
Beauclair told the board he was looking at funding options if the beds are
needed.
Even though the prison population is moving upward again, management changes
by the department and partners in the criminal justice system helped reduce
growth the past two years. “We are still about 1,000 offenders below
where our population would have been if we hadn’t changed business practices.
That amounts to about $50,000 each day in continued cost avoidance,” Beauclair
told the Board.
Perspective on Growth
- The department reached the 6,000-inmate mark on March 12. On that day there
were 6,006 incarcerated offenders in Idaho Department of Correction custody.
- The last milestone was reached in July 2000 as the prison population
reached 5,000. The Idaho Correctional Center opened July 3, 2000
to help manage the
population growth.
- The current forecast anticipates the prison population will grow
by 912 offenders over the next three years.
Board of Correction Decision Apr 16, 2004 Orofino---The Board of Correction voted to give Director Tom
Beauclair a merit pay increase during a Thursday meeting in Orofino. Chairman
Ralph Townsend said, “In the nearly three years since Director Beauclair
was appointed his management of the agency has saved the state and taxpayers
literally millions of dollars.”
“We brought him in at a salary somewhat less than if he had been a director
elsewhere and fully intended to re-evaluate that pay level at his one year
anniversary. We weren’t able to give that serious consideration in 2002
so this is actually very late,” Chairman Townsend said. Beauclair was
making $89,960. The Board voted to increase his salary to $105,000 effective
May 1st.
Beauclair manages the state’s third largest agency. The department employs
about 1,400 professionals and supervises 16,000 offenders across the state
of Idaho.
“We can’t hire someone of his capabilities for the salary we’ve
approved, let alone what he’s getting now. This is a very large and complex
organization. He earns his pay and then some,” said Chairman Townsend.
The Board of Correction oversees the Department of Correction. The Governor
appoints the three-member panel. Each member serves a six-year term. They are
responsible for appointing the Director of the agency and doing his job performance
assessment. The panel made the decision during yesterday’s Board meeting
in Orofino.
ICIO Marks 20 years of Service
Apr 12, 2004 Orofino -- Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino is celebrating
twenty years of service to the community of Orofino and the State of Idaho.
The anniversary will be
marked with a week of special recognition and events.
History
Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino (ICI-O) opened on April 4, 1984. Its
first occupants were female offenders. Before it became a prison, the facility
was part of the state hospital. It housed mental health patients.
When it opened, just one wing of the facility was ready to house offenders.
There were 56 beds, more than enough for the state’s 40 in-state female
offenders. In 1985, the facility went co-ed with males and females on separate
tiers. ICI-O housed incarcerated females until 1994 when the Pocatello Women’s
Correctional Center was opened. At that time, ICI-O became a facility to house
incarcerated males.
Today, ICI-O has ten times the number of offenders it did as it opened in
1984. The facility houses 509 offenders. It serves medium, minimum and community
custody male offenders. The facility also houses protective custody offenders.
It offers a satellite branch of the Robert Janss School, a Therapeutic Community
for substance abuse treatment and Correctional Industries on site.
The campus includes a 108-bed work camp. Offenders in the work camp perform
jobs, such as working on fire crews and road crews. They also perform community
service including roadside clean up, helping hang Christmas decorations and
prepare the fields at Lewis and Clark State College for baseball tournaments.
Three of the officers who helped open they facility still work at ICI-O. These
twenty-year employees will be honored during an Open House on Wednesday, April
14th.
Please see the following page for a complete list of events. If you would
like to attend any of the events:
? Please bring photo identification and press credentials.
? Please refrain from wearing blue jeans, shorts or sandals.
? Photos and cameras will be allowed. A briefing on the guidelines for photography
will be provided upon arrival.
Schedule of Events
Monday, April 12
6-8pm Volunteer Recognition, ICIO Chapel
Tuesday, April 13
3-4pm ICI-O Public Tours, appointment needed
To sign-up call 476-3655 at least 24 hours in advance
A date of birth and social security number is required.
Those wishing to tour must be 18. No blue jeans, tobacco or guns are allowed. Wednesday, April 14
9-10am ICI-O Public Tours, appointment needed
To sign-up call 476-3655 at least 24 hours in advance
A date of birth and social security number is required.
Those wishing to tour must be 18. No blue jeans, tobacco or guns are allowed.
6-8pm Open House
The Board of Correction and Director Beauclair honor long-time ICIO employees
during the open house.
Thursday, April 15
8:30am Board of Correction Meeting
The Board of Correction holds it’s normal business meeting at ICIO
Friday, April 16
Vendor training and appreciation
Saturday, April 17
12:30pm TC Graduate speakers on TC unit
3-4pm ICI-O offers tours for the family of staff
6-9pm ICI-O Annual Awards Ceremony, High Country Inn
Walk-away Updates
Apr 06, 2004 Twin Falls -- An offender who walked away from the Twin
Falls Community Work Center last year surrendered to a probation and parole
officer
in Twin
Falls
on Monday (April 5).
43-year-old James Novosel walked away from the center on December 21st. On
Monday, he contacted the District 5 probation office in Twin Falls. Novosel
talked with an officer and agreed to turn himself in. He surrendered at 11:40am
and was taken into custody without incident.
Novosel is in the Twin Falls County Jail and faces escape charges. He was
serving a three to four year sentence on drug trafficking charges when he escaped.
His original conviction was in Blaine County.
Nampa -- An inmate driver who failed to return to the Nampa Community Work
Center on March 24th is back in prison. A Canyon County Officer arrested Timothy
Lee
Driskell on Sunday, March 28th, four days after he failed to return to the
center.
Driskell, 38, was serving time for illegal possession of a weapon and grand
theft by possession. He now faces escape charges. He is currently housed at
the Idaho State Correctional Institution south of Boise. Driskell’s original
sentences were out of Canyon County.
Fackrell suicide Apr 02, 2004 Boise -- An inmate committed suicide at the Idaho State Correctional
Institution early this morning (Friday, April 2). 38-year-old Shaun Fackrell
was serving time for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 16. He
was recently sentenced in Elmore County.
An officer discovered Fackrell during a routine count about 12:49 a.m. Staff
performed CPR and rescue breathing but were unable to revive Fackrell. He was
declared dead at 1:33 a.m. The Ada County Coroner and Ada County Sheriff’s
deputies were called to investigate. (Fackrell was found hanging in his cell.)
The Department of Correction has launched a Serious Incident Review. “Anytime
something like this happens it’s tragic for the offender, their family
and the staff involved. We want to make certain we do a thorough review to
identify any processes that can work more effectively to prevent suicides,” says
Director Tom Beauclair.“We have a Critical Incident Stress Management team that will be sent
to the institution to help the staff involved in trying to save this life.
Witnessing something like this is very tough on staff and we want to take care
of them as well,” Beauclair said
Coronado suicide Mar 30, 2004 Boise -- An inmate committed suicide at the Idaho Maximum Security
Institution on Monday night (March 29). 46-year-old Javier Perez Coronado was
serving time
for Possession of a Controlled Substance. He had been incarcerated since January
2000.
An officer discovered Coronado during a routine count about 9:15 p.m. Staff
began CPR immediately and called an ambulance to the prison south of Boise.
He was declared dead at 9:50pm. (Coronado was found hanging in his cell.)
Ada County detectives and the Ada Coroner investigated as is standard procedure.
CWCN Walk-away Mar 24, 2004 Boise -- Timothy Lee Driskell, a resident of the Nampa
Community Work Center, failed to return to the center this morning after driving
four
other
residents
to work. The Department-owned van was discovered at 7:07 a.m. in the parking
lot of a Caldwell business. The Idaho Department of Correction operates four
work centers around the state to house low-risk offenders who are nearing the
end of their sentences.
Driskell, 38, is serving one to five years for unlawful possession of a firearm
and grand theft by possession. When he left the work center he was wearing
a blue windbreaker with "CWC-Nampa" in white letters, blue jeans,
and cowboy boots. Anyone with information on where Driskell might be should
contact the Canyon County Sheriff's office or the Department of Correction.
White Bison Graduation Ceremony Mar
24, 2004 Boise---South Idaho Correctional Institution held a very special graduation
ceremony. On March 24th,2004 23 offenders housed at SICI
completed
White Bison
training and start living the lessons learned. Their graduation ceremony included
traditional Native American dress, prayers, song and dancing.
The White Bison program is the Native American equivalent of Alcoholics Anonymous.
It offers sobriety, recovery, addiction prevention and wellness (wellbriety)
learning resources. The program is open to all that come with an open mind
to seek prevention, recovery, sobriety and wellness. The goal is to inspire
them to go beyond sobriety and recovery, and commit to a life of wellness and
healing every day.
Victim Information Hotline Marks First
Year
Mar 11, 2004 Boise---Since it was launched a year ago,
an information hotline has helped Idaho crime victims stay informed about offender
transfers, releases and parole
hearings. VINE went into service last February. VINE has logged 4,400 calls
providing information and responding to requests during its first year in service.
Idaho Department of Correction Victim Services Coordinator Bruce Gordon says
he is thanked daily by victims who say the service gives them peace of mind.
Just look at the numbers and you’ll see why.
? 480 citizens have signed up for automatic notification.
? VINE has made 65 automated calls to alert victims that an offender was being
released from prison.
? The hotline has issued 42 notifications about Parole Hearings.
? The phone system also alerts those signed up when an inmate transfers between
facilities. 175 calls have been made on transfers between facilities.
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a toll-free, 24-hour
telephone hotline. Users can call anonymously for offender custody status updates,
or register for automatic notification. The Department of Correction and Idaho
Commission of Pardons and Parole are partners in providing this service.
People can now register on line as well as on the phone.
For telephone registration call 1-877-VINE-4-ID (1-877-846-3443)
For online registration go to www.corrections.state.id.us and select the
Victims Services hotlink off the front page. The VINE information page offers
on-line registration.
You will need a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) and the
name of the offender you are wishing to track.
VINE is supported by a grant through the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau
of Justice. It was awarded to the Idaho Department of Correction through the
Idaho State Police.
Robert Janss School Accredited
Mar 9, 2004 Boise---The Robert Janss School has been regionally accredited
by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities
Commission.
The Idaho
School received the accreditation during the group’s recent annual
meeting in Portland.
Robert Janss is an Idaho school you might not know exists. Yet last year,
it served more than 3,817 students in seven different locations. The Robert
Janss School operates inside the Idaho Department of Correction facilities.
Schools are located at Idaho State Correctional Institution, Idaho Maximum
Security Institution, Idaho Correctional Center, North Idaho Correctional Institution,
Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino, South Boise Women’s Correctional
Center, Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center, and South Idaho Correctional
Institution.
Robert Janss helped 474 compete their GED, High School equivalency or high
school degree last year during FY03. 778 offenders raised their literacy level
one or more steps. The majority of offenders are not well educated. 65% do
not have a high school degree and many or functionally or totally illiterate.
Since most offenders in prison will return to communities it is important to
provide them knowledge and skills to improve their abilities to become stable
citizens and contributors to the community.
Governor Kempthorne along with university presidents, Board of Education
dignitaries and superintendents from Idaho schools recently attended a graduation
at Idaho State Correctional Institution. 82 graduates were honored at the commencement
and received GEDs, High School Equivalencies, High School Diplomas and vocational
education certifications.
The Robert Janss School was first accredited with the Northwest Association
of Accredited Schools in 1984. Robert Janss is one of 1656 schools in the region
accredited through this commission.
Walk Away Surrenders Feb 23, 2004 Nampa---An offender who walked away from the Nampa Community
Work Center on February 5th, turned himself in to work center staff this afternoon
(Monday, February 23rd).
35-year-old Joseph Michael Sena surrendered at the center about 2pm and was immediately
arrested by Nampa Police.
Sena was serving the final months of a 5-year sentence for driving under
the influence. He went to his job on February 5th, but failed to return to
the Nampa Community Work Center after completing his work duty. Work Center
employees provided detailed information, and the U.S. Marshal Office and the
department’s Fugitive Recovery Unit tracked Sena and kept in touch with
his family members, helping prompt today’s surrender.
Canyon County prosecutors will file the charges against Sena for the February
5th escape.
Probation and Parole Officer identifies
suspect in bomb threats
Feb 20, 2004 Caldwell---Probation and Parole Officer Bertha Garza helped piece
together the clues that led to the arrest of a suspect in a series of bomb
threats at the Caldwell Probation and Parole Office. Garza spent hours yesterday
listening to the 9-1-1 recordings provided by Caldwell Police. She pulled together
enough clues to determine the caller was probably one of her probationers.
Garza visited probationer Jon Petzoldt Thursday evening and determined he
was the person who made a series of bomb threats targeted at the District 3
office. Caldwell Police detectives were called to the scene, interviewed and
arrested Petzoldt. They have filed three felony charges stemming from those
bomb threats.
The threats started in October. Probation and Parole District Manager Rich
Hammond says they escalated on Wednesday, February 18th, when a black bag was
discovered at an office door. Hammond says today’s arrest is great news
for his staff. “It’s a major relief for our office. It’s
something that’s hung over this office creating stress since the threats
began in October. It’s amazing the resilience the officers have, they
keep coming to work protecting the public despite these threats,” says
Hammond.
Petzoldt is 30 years old. He was serving five years on probation for possession
of a controlled substance.
The Department of Correction thanks Caldwell Police for the hours spent working
this case and for providing the 9-1-1 tapes for review. Caldwell Police are
the contact for information on the charges.
Offender walks away in Nampa
Feb 06, 2004 Nampa---The Nampa Community Work Center is trying to locate an
offender who failed to return to the work center last night. 35-year-old Joseph
Michael Sena was serving the final months of a 5-year sentence for driving
under the influence. He went to his job on Thursday morning, but failed to
return to the center after completing his work.
Work center managers notified Nampa Police of Sena’s escape last night.
It is believed that Sena is still in the Nampa area.
Sena is 5’9, 185 pounds, brown eyes and
black hair. He is hispanic and has a medium complexion. Anyone who sees Sena
should call their local police department.
NICI Officer Honored
February 6, 2004 Boise---The Idaho State Veterans of Foreign Wars honored
Jarod Cash as the VFW Correctional Officer of the Year. Cash was recognized
during their mid-winter conference in Boise on January 24th. They sited his
superior performance as the reason for his selection.
Cash has worked at North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood for
nearly three years. He routinely takes on extra duties. In addition to providing
security, he teaches classes to offenders, serves on the Correctional Emergency
Response Team, and volunteers for extra duty as needed. He even helped capture
an escapee last year.
For the VFW honors, Cash received a certificate and a $500 savings bond.
The VFW honors Idaho State Police Officer or Correctional Officer in alternating
years. They select on an officer that has provided distinguished service throughout
the previous year.
Cash was also recently honored as the Department of Correction’s Employee
of the Year. Jarod was selected as one of the department’s professional
integrity profiles for the Annual Report.
New Leaders Chosen February 5, 2004 Boise---A top manager at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution
has been selected to help lead the Department of Correction Operations division.
Jeff Zmuda was named as the new Deputy Administrator of Operations. He says
his immediate goal will be to focus on the quality of services provided to
customers both within and outside the department.
Zmuda has worked with the Department of Correction for 16 years at the institutions
south of Boise. Most recently he was Deputy Warden of Security at Idaho’s
most secure facility, the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Zmuda replaces
Pam Sonnen, who was promoted to Administrator of Operations in December.
Kevin Kempf has been selected as warden of the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino.
Kempf began his career with the IDOC as a correctional officer at Pocatello
Women’s Correctional Center. He has also been a probation and parole
officer and is currently District Manager of District 4 West probation and
parole in Boise. Kempf takes over as warden at the Orofino facility on March
1st.
Kempf says his priority is to build relationships with the Orofino community.
Kempf replaces Phil Foster who retired in January after 26 years with the department.
Foster was the warden at ICIO the last eight years of his career.
Offender death at IMSI
February 2, 2004 Boise---Offender James Edward Wood died at Idaho Maximum
Security Institution on Sunday. Wood (#39589) was declared dead at 9:32am.
Wood called for help around 8:30am. He told correctional officers he was having
trouble breathing. He was taken to a medical unit for assessment. He stopped
breathing before an ambulance could arrive to transport him to the hospital.
Medical staff unsuccessfully attempted to revive Wood.
Wood had served ten years solitary confinement. He was sentenced to death on
January 14, 1994 after being convicted of a Bannock County murder. Wood was also
serving life sentences for kidnapping and rape.
The Ada County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy. Medical personnel on scene
believe the cause of death was natural.
Oldham to lead Correctional Industries January 30, 2004 Boise---The Department of Correction has selected Bill Oldham
as the new General Manager of Correctional Industries.
Oldham comes to the department with more than 25 years of business experience
primarily in construction and manufacturing. Most recently he was Vice President
and General Manager of the western region for Orius Telecommunication Services
in Nampa. Oldham has also worked for DAS-CO, Trus Joist Mcmillian and the Alaska
Railroad Company.
Oldham brings a solid business background and says he plans to focus CI production
on niche markets.
Correctional Industries provides employment for offenders at six institutions
in Idaho. CI also works with the private sector to provide job opportunities
for offenders. CI helps offenders build job skills so they can re-enter society.
Oldham replaces Lynn McAuley who retired at the end of December after two years
in Idaho and years of public service with corrections departments around the
country.
Changes help department avoid $18-million in
costs
January 14, 2004 Boise---The Department of Correction is changing the way
it does business to be more efficient and save taxpayer dollars. It has worked,
allowing the department to avoid nearly $18 million in costs between January
2002 and June of this year. The department evaluated everything from prison
capacity to the way offenders enter and leave the system to find efficiencies
Here are some of the steps the Department undertook to create change and avoid
costs.
The department added new beds to create a more efficient system. The department
avoided $3.5 million in the cost of housing offenders out of state or in county
jails by adding 237 additional beds to the existing prison system.
Changes in business practices reduced the forecasted population by 962 incarcerated
offenders between the FY02 forecast and the current forecast. The bottom line
cost avoidance is $14.14 million from those population changes.
Director Tom Beauclair presented the information about cost avoidance to the
28 lawmakers who toured three prison facilities on Tuesday. Beauclair says
the savings come from continually asking, "Can we can do something better
by doing it differently?"
More information about the savings follows on the next page.
Additional information is also available in the Department's Annual Report
at http://www.corrections.state.id.us/facts/annualreport.pdf
If you'd like to develop a story specific to cost avoidance at a facility in
your local area please contact Teresa Jones, 658-2138.
More Facts Please:
Specifics on the savings
Added Beds: $3.5 million in cost avoidance
The department added 237 additional beds to the system between January 2002
and October 2003. Medical and food costs increased and, in some instances,
more staffing was needed to support those additions. Even after subtracting
those operating and personnel costs, the added beds will save an estimated
$3.499 million in FY03 and FY04. The bottom line was determined by comparing
in-system costs with the cost of housing offenders out of state or in county
jails.
Most of the beds were added by adding an additional bunk to each room in work
centers. There are now three offenders per room in all CWCs. The department
also built a low cost work center at South Idaho Correctional Institution.
This project added 70 beds with no additional staff.
The use of tents at St. Anthony Work Camp during the summer months helped create
these savings. Also factored in are the savings of moving female offenders
from New Mexico back to Idaho and the expansion of the East Boise Community
Work Center.
Lower than forecasted population: $14.14 million in cost avoidance
The Population Forecast Advisory Committee uses historical information to project
Idaho's prison population. The FY02 forecast anticipated 7034 offenders would
be incarcerated at the end of FY04. The current forecast anticipates 6072 incarcerated
offenders at the end of the current fiscal year. That means there are 962 offenders
fewer than was anticipated.
Why is the prison population almost flat the last two years? Admissions to
prison terms are not dropping. The difference is a result of some changes in
release rates. Here are some of the changes.
Working with judges, the Department of Correction is moving offenders on retained
jurisdiction to court more quickly after they complete programming. This results
in a cost avoidance of approximately $400,000 per year. It allows the department
to move more male offenders through the 'rider' program.
Probation and parole officers are utilizing more inventions and sanctions in
communities to put offenders back on track in communities rather than violate
their parole. A revision in department policy with a new focus on interventions
is driving this change.
The Legislature provided funding for programming in the community. This provides
more flexibility for officers as they work with offenders and the Parole Commission
as they determine parole readiness.
Simultaneous business changes at the Commission for Pardons and Parole are
an essential piece of this cost avoidance. The Parole Commission has cut in
half the amount of time a parole violator was incarcerated before receiving
a revocation hearing to determine if they would serve more prison time or return
to the community. Added staffing helped cut this time.
The $18 million cost avoidance is tallied for FY03 and FY04. Director Beauclair
points out the savings are really long-term, "Some of these changes will
continue to net savings into the future. And we'll continue to examine the
system to find ways to be efficient and effective in our mission to provide
opportunities for these offenders to change."
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