What really needs to happen is a thorough review of who really needs to be in prison and for how long.

There is no argument we need to keep violent offenders behind bars for as long as possible. A step in the right direction of decriminalization of marijuana has no doubt put a dent in the whole paradigm of corrections in Washington, Oregon and Colorado.

When Legislators wake up to just how tough they want to be on crimes having no victims against what it costs to keep someone behind bars we may see some reductions in prison costs to taxpayers. I don’t see that happening in the near term.

Another example of the strong thread of libertarianism which seems to be woven so firmly thoroughly into the fabric of Idaho’s political make-up. Some how many folk have come to believe that to make the operation of prisons, jails, schools and other public functions private we will save on public fund expenditure and that trumps all other considerations.

It is not really absurd from one stand point. If memory serves me correctly there was a story a few years back about judges in this state being involved in these prisons as stock holders? I may be mistaken, Dave please correct me.. like I had to ask for that…lol.

Whether or not govt. can operate these facilities in a more cost efficient manner should be a no brainer a non profit agency can always run something cheaper than a for profit agency, hence the “profit” The real question, to me is this, who can run it better? Cheapest does not always mean best, if we are running a revolving door facility cheaply are we really cutting costs? If we spent more money on rehab and other programs, took the time to evaluate who could be helped and who couldn’t I think, in the long run we would be money ahead.

This will not be accomplished by a for profit company, not company is going to cut it’s own income stream. It has to be done by a govt. that has the intelligence to see this as something other than a warehouse.

Does my ears good to hear Republicans choking on their mantra “no big government,” while the private enterprise system they so love, is subjecting the taxpayers of Idaho to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage awards and attorney fees! What will their excuse be when the next “private enterprise,” steals money AND allows the inmates to beat each other to death while guards watch?

Sure that’s fine, but how about the government become somewhat more lean so that the private sector does not run circles around them. PS: I see ADA taxes are going up and are collection of new RINOs is doing/saying what about it?

Robert, you hit 2 of the points directly on the head. Even misdemeanors make finding a job almost impossible.
I just graduated from BSU and have been filling out apps these last couple of months, nearly every one has questions pertaining to “Criminal History” we all know what will happen to any app that has that box checked yes. No matter what it was or how old it is.

Deb, it is very easy to find their names and pictures it took me about 2 minutes. Now finding out their holdings might be another story.
The whole CJ industry and make no mistake it is mainly an industry needs a revamp from the bottom up. Laws need to be written in a logical manner… not the super secret handshake method in place today. LE and the judiciary need some sort of ADULT leadership and over sight neither have much if any kind over leadership and oversight now.

Channel 7 exposed that the Governor was not only a stock holder but receiving funding for his campaign. It is believed the Head of the Parole Board is also and may others within the system. CCA has promised all states they will keep their prison full to a 90% capacity. There are two other states pulling out from CCA as well for similar situations.
This prison has hit National news more than once due to its violence and lack of staff within the facility. Many of the Non-Violent and minor offenses come out so hardened with efforts to stay alive inside. This in turn is a domino effect for those seeking to be released at the end of their term and turned down to stick around a little longer… It can take four years to get release when only given 1 ½ years. The Parole Board needs a good review as well outside their political front porch. Thnk on how releases with programs outside would also reduce the current Welfare system for families. Finding jobs with any offence here is grief but better than inside. Washington does all they can outside first. Not everything is a Felony there like Idaho and then people can vote at some point and move forward.
Every facility has it’s issues but not like ICC. We’ll see how the New Warden at ICC works out.
The fact that they can brag on reducing meals to feeding inmates at .81 per day is horrific from the prior $2.50. There cannot possibly be any value in make believe food and then wonder why there are anger issues inside. How the Health Board is not apart of this mission is criminal. Are they making up for all lawsuits against them ?

tom, that’s an altogether different issue.

yup.. but you brought it up….

lol… after how long in what was supposed to be a limited term… 4 years if memory serves me right….

That is a good question No Brainer. Our Govenor jumped on the band wagon to bring CCA/ICC on however he also received funds for his campaign in exchange. This of course lead to Stockholders within our system. Like our economy it seems to be crashing currently. IDOC cuts the cost and boast on how they have reduced an inmate’s meals from $2.21 per day to .81 cents. Limited Medical inside are reduced as well. Then we ask how many of these inmates have families on Welfare all due to the extended Stays of inmates whom aren’t being released timely for Federal Funding. Health and Welfare needs to step up to the plate as well with all the facilities.

Government out of control with a very stupid public economics policy: We have too many people in prisons that never needed to be entered into the system to start with. Overzealous policing/courts and unreasonable punishment for minor crimes of the young followed by a crooked system like the Ada Co. probation which never stops harassing them. These people become unproductive forever over something as minor as an open container citation.

Policing and prison systems have become a huge business for government and the private sector. Go look up some statistic on America vs. anyone else to see how we are locking up way too many people just so our police and prison systems can have larger and larger budgets and payroll.