By Dennis Mintun
When I was growing up, a popular phrase was “phoning it in.” It meant a person wasn’t really interested in doing what was required of them – they did the bare minimum.
Unfortunately, the Idaho system leadership seems to be doing just that. And, from what I’ve heard about other prisons across the country, this seems to be a growing trend.
Over a year ago, the Director of Prisons, Josh Tewalt, visited our education building. While there, those of us who worked there were allowed to ask him questions. He told us they were in the process of making the prisons better – and told us to feel free to write him if we had any issues or suggestions. It sounded promising. We were even told inmate workers would be getting a raise from 40 cents per hour (as of this writing, that has not happened).
Since then, there have been a lot of issues that have come up that we have not been able to get resolved. A number of us have made attempts to contact Mr. Tewalt, only to be rebuffed by his staff, telling us to “deal with this at the local level.” I sent him a letter three times, only to have it returned unanswered. In the the letter, I brought up a number of issues. Some may not be a big deal for those outside of prison. However, in combination, they could frustrate the inmate population enough that they react badly. Some of the items were…
1. The prison chapel has been shut down for over three years. At first, it was because of Covid – which was understandable. Then admin cited “staff shortages.” After that, they abruptly ended their contract with the company that provided the chaplain…and told us we would have to wait until they hired a new chaplain. That was many months ago. Last month, they hired two part-time chaplains. However, only a few people at a time have been allowed to be at the chapel together. The vast majority of “pre – Covid” groups still have been unable to gather together. Grievances on the issue have been replied with “we have been providing services.” That is a bald face lie that any inmate would agree with. As for me, because I am so outspoken about the issues, the prison declared that I will not be allowed to lead the group that I started 14 years ago – and lead up until Covid.
2. Last year, IDOC apparently lost their contract with the company that provides the prison TV channels. They told us they were negotiating for a new contract, and to be patient. Meanwhile, they gave us an odd mix of channels, including two Hallmark romance channels and Nick – Toons, which only shows children’s cartoons. No regular sports or movie channels. We waited patiently. Then, we we found out there would be no new contract – at least until next year. We are stuck with what they gave us. Now, we would not be able to complain all that much…except for the fact hat we inmates pay for the TV channels. Ten percent of every commissary purchase and phone call we make goes toward “inmate welfare” – including television channels.
3. When Covid hit, we stopped going to the chow hall, and our food began to be delivered to the units. We all understood the reason. It wasn’t even too bad at, at first. We would get one styrofoam tray for the hot food, and one for the cold food. Then, they decided it was too expensive to use two trays, so they began to combine everything – which meant we would get hot salad or cake…or even liquid jello. Often the food would get mixed. It isn’t uncommon for us to get cake with peas for the frosting or refried beans in our applesauce. When people complained, the “solved” the problem by giving all our food to us cold. A grievance on this issue was responded to by telling us that it did no harm to leave food at room temperature for up to four hours in the unit – not counting the prep time in the kitchen. A restaurant would be shut down by the Health Department for that! We are still being fed the same way – – with no apparent plans to change anytime soon.
4. Also having to do with our food being delivered is the poor quality control. Many times we have received sour (even curdled) milk; rotten fruit; and rancid meat. Even though staff has witnessed this over and over, the kitchen staff replies to concern forms and grievances with ” we would never send out that sort of thing.” As with grievances about the other issues…on appeal, the Warden responds with “I concur.”
5. And, there have been many other issues…Laundry is often closed, so we have no clean clothes…people are often not able to go to recreation…maintenance problems go unsolved…people have trouble completing programs they must take in order to get parole…an on, and on.
I know Covid terribly disrupted our whole society. I also know staff shortages area a problem. However, most inmates are feeling as i do…the prison administration just doesn’t care.
In my opinion, if they can’t take care of us in a humane way, they should let us go, so that we can take care of ourselves. Or…stop putting the poor and minorities in prison for long periods of time just because they are “different” or can’t afford a decent lawyer.
I suppose it’s just easier to ignore the problems (and the inmates), and “phone it in.”