Yes, marijuana is still illegal in Idaho with no exceptions. Although most of our surrounding states have legalized marijuana to some extent, it remains a crime to possess any amount of marijuana in Idaho. Law enforcement can and do charge individuals for possession of marijuana, and driving under the influence of marijuana. Many people are caught with marijuana…
A new immigration bill in Idaho, House Bill 83, is set to move to the House floor after approval from the State Affairs Committee. This bill, devised to regulate unauthorized immigration, classifies a first offense as a misdemeanor and a second offense as a felony. Proponents claim law enforcement would only be allowed to enforce…
In Idaho, harsh drug sentences are a significant driver behind the rising rates of female incarceration. Over the past few decades, the state’s tough-on-crime policies, particularly regarding drug-related offenses, have led to an alarming increase in the number of women behind bars. Many of these women are incarcerated for non-violent offenses, often related to addiction…
It is usually standard procedure to include a suspect’s mugshot in any crime story. However, multiple discussions have led KTVB to change their mugshot policy. KTVB will no longer include suspect’s mugshots in certain online and on-air news coverage due to media ethics and journalism best practice. Discussion amongst journalist have come to realize that…
Richard Bronson is the founder and CEO of 70 Million Jobs, which focuses on helping anyone with a criminal record to secure a job. Mr. Bronson was sentenced to 2 years in prison after he was part of the infamous Wolf of Wall Street firm, Stratton Oakmont. He knew what he was doing was crooked…
When you think about prison, do you think about tenderness, caring and connection? They’re not common, but they’re here, in the Washington State Reformatory. While Christopher Blackwell, a fellow inmate, went on a run he began spotting bunnies at every turn. Bunnies from different colors and sizes, some spotted, others fully white, black, or light…
In the wake of three police shootings this summer, Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee explains how the Critical Incident Task Force operates. Five agencies – Boise, Meridian, and Garden City Police, Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho State Police – joined forces to investigate critical incidents, such as police shootings, death in custody or…
For police and prosecutors, often perceived as the engines of public safety, human caging is the primary tool in their tool kit. People who have served time in prison are less likely to succeed than people who have never been in the system; that is because confinement is seemingly designed to destroy mental health. In…
Idaho prisons are working at 76% capacity, with over 180 positions vacant within the nine prisons in Idaho. Correctional officers are burned out, overworked, under paid and dropping like flies. Workers usually work 12-hour shifts and are now being subjected to mandatory overtime with 16-hour work shifts; leaving workers with 8-hours to eat, sleep, take…
Fear of overwhelming the courts with resentencing cases compels prosecutors and judges to rethink the DVSJA. Creating a multi-step application process to resentence incarcerated survivors of domestic violence found to be more complicated to prove. The application process requires survivors to demonstrate official documents, such as medical records, police reports, or domestic violence shelter intakes,…