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…
Gerald B. Cummings Jr. was pronounced dead at 3:38a.m. Saturday, December 11. His cellmate, Colton J. Reagan was charged with first degree murder. Cumming was found unresponsive with injuries that appeared to be consistent with a beating. After Ada County Sheriff’s Office conducted interviews, they concluded Reagan, a 25-year-old and Cummings Jr., a 57-year-old, were…
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…