In this thread you will find several differant resource links. If you know of a link that is helpful in dealing with the prison system in any way then please PM me with that info and I will add the link.



The Idaho Department of Corrections has a very nice website. In this site you will find offender information, visiting information along with a printable application, facitlity information and many other useful things. I think that anyone who takes a visit to the IDOC they will find that it's very helpful

http://www.corr.state.id.us

Idaho Parole Commission-Here is where you can find upcoming parole hearings along with parole decisions.
http://www2.state.id.us/parole/

Idaho State Judiciary
http://www.isc.idaho.gov/

Would you like to be heard by your legislator or voice your opinion.

Our word does matter and needs to heard

http://www2.state.id.us/legislat/comment.html

ACLU of Idaho
Jack Van Valkenburgh
P.O. Box 1897
Boise Id. 84701
(208)344-5243

Prison conditions; access to medical care; civil rights

Friends and Families of Idaho Inmates
Kelly Winberg
P.O. Box 1376
Boise Id. 83701
(208)463-9896

The Western Prison Project exists to coordinate a progressive response to the criminal justicesystem, and to build a grassroots, multi-racial movement that achieves prison reform and reduces the over-reliance on incarceration in the western states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada.

http://www.safetyandjustice.org/

Oxford House
http://www.oxfordhouse.org/

Boise Rescue Mission
520 Front Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
PH: 343-2389

Bethel Ministries
PH: 344-1069

Community House
575 South 13th Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
PH: 389-9840

Adoptive and Foster Parenting

1. Does the state consider other criminal history records beyond the federal list of convictions barring people from becoming foster and/or adoptive parents?
Yes, for both foster and adoptive parents. Applicants must be barred if convicted of other violent or sexual offenses. Certain convictions involving theft and fraud will also exclude applicants for seven years. Idaho Admin. Code § 16.05.06.015.

2. Does the state restrict people from becoming foster and/or adoptive parents for longer than required by federal law?
Yes, the statute is silent on the length of the bars for violent and sexual offenses for both foster care and adoption so they operate as lifetime bars unless the Department of Health and Welfare exercises its discretion. The bar for drug-related felony convictions also goes further than the federal law because the state law bar excludes people for seven years whereas the federal law excludes people for five years. Idaho Admin. Code § 16.05.06.015.

3. May applicants be barred by the convictions of other household members?
Yes, for foster care. Applicants may be barred if other adult household members age 18 years or older have any of the convictions that would disqualify the applicant if s/he were the one convicted. No, for adoption. Idaho Admin. Code § 16.05.06.015.

4. Does the state make individual determinations about an applicant’s eligibility based on the criminal record?
No, for both foster care and adoption, for the specified violent, sexual, drug-related, theft and fraud convictions. For other crimes, however, the Department may grant exemptions for other crimes after considering the following factors: the severity or nature of the crime; time elapsed since the incident; number of incident(s); surrounding circumstances of the incident; relationship of the incident child or adult care; evidence of rehabilitation; receipt of a pardon; and falsification or omission of information on forms submitted to the Department. Idaho Admin. Code § 16.05.06.033.

Access to Criminal Records

1. Is there a time limit after which criminal history information is not reported to non-law enforcement entities for employment purposes?
Arrests with no disposition after one year may only be disseminated to criminal justice agencies, the subject of the record, and others with the subject’s written authorization. Idaho Code § 67-3008(2)(b)(iv).

2. Other than the subject and criminal justice agencies, who can obtain records?
Any person or public or private agency upon written application specifying an individual and date of birth. Fingerprints may be required. Idaho Code §§ 67-3008(2)(b)(i) and (ii).

3. What types of records can be disclosed to non-criminal justice agencies?
Generally, arrests that resulted in a disposition within one year and convictions. Idaho Code § 67-3001(4).

4. Are there penalties for violating limitations on dissemination?
Yes, criminal penalties exist. Idaho Code § 67-3009.

5. Are state criminal records available on the internet?
No.

6. Can state criminal records of arrests not leading to conviction be sealed (including expunged, erased, or purged)?
Upon written request to the Idaho state police, fingerprints and criminal history record are expunged for arrests not leading to indictment within one year of arrest or arrests not leading to conviction. Idaho Code § 67-3004(10).

7. If so, what is the effect of having an arrest sealed?
The statute does not address the effect of expungement.

8. Can criminal conviction records be sealed (including expunged, erased, or purged)?
Adult criminal convictions may not be sealed.

Persons adjudicated as a juvenile may petition for expungement of record five years from the termination of court’s jurisdiction or, if committed to a juvenile corrections center, five years after release or at age eighteen (whichever is later). A juvenile’s conviction for specific violent, sexual or drug trafficking and manufacturing crimes cannot be expunged. Idaho Code § 20-525A.

9. If so, what is the effect of having a conviction sealed?
Upon entry of expungement order for a juvenile offense, the case is deemed to have never occurred. Idaho Code § 20-525A(3).

Drivers License Privileges

1. Does the state revoke or suspend the drivers’ licenses of people convicted of drug-related offenses?
The state passed a resolution November 1, 2000 in opposition to enacting a law called for by the federal statute in order to receive certain federal highway funds. However, the state does revoke drivers’ licenses for drug-related offenses. Idaho Code § 18-8005.

2. If so, what crime(s) result in suspension or revocation?
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicating substances, or any combination of alcohol, drugs and/or any other intoxicating substances. Idaho Code § 18-8004(1)(a) as amended by 2002 Idaho Sess. Laws ch. 253, S.B. No. 1421.

3. If so, what is the length of the suspension or revocation?
Thirty days to five years, depending upon the status of the offender, i.e., number of convictions. Idaho Code § 18-8005.

4. Does the state offer restricted drivers’ licenses for purposes of employment, education, and/or medical care?
First offenders may be granted restricted driving privileges for purposes of employment or family health needs after 30 days of absolute suspension have elapsed. Idaho Code § 18-8005(1)(d).

Employment

1. Can employers ask job applicants about arrests not leading to conviction?
Yes.

2. Can employers consider arrests not leading to conviction?
Yes.

3. Does the state have standards prohibiting employment discrimination by public employers and occupational licensing agencies based on a conviction record?
No.

4. Does the state have standards prohibiting employment discrimination by private employers based on a conviction record?
No.

5. Does the state restrict people with criminal records from employment in the field of home health care?
No.

6. After an individual has been convicted, does the state offer any mechanism to demonstrate that an individual has been rehabilitated?
Only pardons. Idaho Code § 20-240. A pardon does not automatically lift occupational bars. Telephone interview with Ms. Braun, Commission of Pardons and Parole, 208-334-2520 (August 13, 2002).

Public Assitance and Food Stamps

1. Are people with drug-felony convictions dated after 1996 eligible to receive TANF benefits and food stamps?
Yes, Idaho has opted out of the federal drug felon ban. An individual who has been convicted of a felony involving a controlled substance is eligible for benefits if s/he complies with the terms of a withheld judgment, probation or parole. Idaho Code § 56-202(g).

Public Housing

1. Does the Housing Authority consider arrests that did not lead to conviction in its admission criteria?
Yes, the Boise Public Housing Authority (PHA) considers arrests.

2. Does the Housing Authority make individual determinations about an applicant's eligibility based upon the relevance of the criminal record?
Yes.

3. How long is the conviction bar(s)?
Although there are no explicit bars, the PHA considers time elapsed in deciding whether to deny admission.

Voting

1. Does the state grant people with criminal records the right to vote?
Individuals convicted of felony offenses may vote upon restoration of civil rights. Civil rights are restored automatically upon completion of the sentence. Incarcerated individuals and those on probation and parole may not vote. Idaho Code §§ 18-310(1) and (2).


Copyright © 2004 by the Legal Action Center. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.lac.org/lac/

The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) is a state agency governed by the Idaho State Board of Education. It has taken a proactive stance in assisting inmates transitioning back into the community and the world of work. The agency works with individuals with criminal records and the Department of Probation and Parole to obtain employment through vocational guidance and counseling, assessment, training, and job development and placement.

Contact:
Roger Button
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 83720
650 W. State St., Room 150
Boise, ID 83720
208-334-3650
Web Site: www.state.id.us/idvr

The IdahoWorks Career Center is the primary point of access to more than 17 programs offered to meet the needs of workers, students and businesses. A variety of self-service options, a comprehensive resource center, and staff are available at each career center.

Contact:
Roger B. Madsen, Director
Iowa Department of Labor
317 W. Main St.
Boise, ID 83735
208-334-6112
208-334-6430 fax
E-Mail: RMADSEN@jobservice.us
Web Site: http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?alias=labor.idaho.gov/dnn/idl


Idaho Department of Labor
Online registering and job search options
http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=661

http://www.isc.idaho.gov/4distrul.pdf

Idaho offers visitation, camp, and reading programs for incarcerated mothers and their children. These programs are similar to those offered in other states we surveyed. Unlike 6 of the 14 states we surveyed, Idaho does not offer a nursery program. Our review of Idaho and other states' programs showed that only limited evaluation information is available on the effectiveness of these programs. Likewise, little or no cost information is available for these programs in Idaho and other states.

http://www2.state.id.us/ope/Reports/Rept0301.htm

I'm sure there are more, but here are some to get a person started.

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.step12.com/idaho.html[/URL]

Narcotics Anonymous
[URL]http://www.sirna.org/treasure_valley_area.htm (http://www.tvico.homestead.com/)

Canyon County Health and Welfare offers several differant programs to help families of inmates. They have a new program that is just about to start that helps with the transition of the inmate and family reuniting

http://www.healthyfamiliesnampa.org/pages/programs.php?PHPSESSID=346fa8f9e38d8d664abdab64c09 47069