‘Inhumane conditions' at Idaho maximum security prison prompt planned hunger strike
The Idaho Department of Correction confirmed that nearly 90 men refused to take their breakfast Friday morning as part of 'what appears to be a peaceful, planned demonstration,' spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic told the Idaho Statesman. She said the prisoners have been asking for visitation rights and better programming at the institution.
Friday's protest marks the second time men incarcerated at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution organized a mass hunger strike to demand better treatment and services within the last year and a half, though IDOC leadership in the past has taken issue with use of the term. According to the agency's policy definitions, the demonstration is only a considered a 'hunger strike' when the men have refused to eat or drink for at least three days.
In May 2024, roughly 90 men primarily housed at the maximum prison refused their meals for six days. Several of them told the Statesman they were protesting the substandard living conditions, including long bouts of isolation and 'cages' IDOC used for recreation time, covered in human feces. Prisoners also brought up concerns over access to certain religious practices, rehabilitative programming and a lack of visitation options.
Return Strong Executive Director Jodi Hocking on Friday again pointed to 'systemic medical neglect and indefinite isolation without rehabilitation' in its news release, and said the organization is urging the state prison system's leadership to take 'immediate steps to address these dangerous and degrading conditions.'
Return Strong said the prison offered months of delay for one individual with a broken wrist and finger, limited mental health care, mold covering the shower walls, restricted visitation, took away access to fruit and stuck prisoners with years of solitary confinement.
'When incarcerated people feel they have no voice and no path to dignity, they turn to peaceful protest,' Hocking said in the news release. 'These men are standing up not just for themselves, but for the humanity of all people in prison.'
Kuzeta-Cerimagic said that about six months ago, the prison implemented a reward system for people in close custody, a high-security custody level often used for maximum security prisoners. Individuals who meet certain criteria, like being at least six months free of disciplinary offense reports and agreeing to live in a mixed unit not separated by gang affiliation, receive double dayroom time, one physical visit a week and additional opportunities for programming and jobs, she said.
Fruit remains restricted because it's used in homemade alcohol, and it has been substituted with fresh vegetables, Kuzeta-Cerimagic said. She denied allegations of black or green mold, adding that some showers within the prison are expected to be repaired or refinished.
'We hope to resolve the situation without escalation,' Kuzeta-Cerimagic said.
Dewey Lewis, who's 53 and has been incarcerated since the '90s, said many of the concerns he and others raised from Idaho's maximum security prison last year still exist. He reiterated allegations that recreational areas were littered with human urine and feces, since they don't have access to a bathroom for hours.
It's the second time he's recently participated in a planned hunger strike at the prison. He said he's taking part in the protest again with the hope of raising awareness of the prison's conditions and to push for change.
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