Prison Activism Now: ACLU Idaho

Founded in 1993 as an affiliate of the national ACLU, ACLU Idaho works on many issues including freedom of expression, immigrant rights, gay and lesbian rights, prison issues, and voting rights. Based in Boise, Idaho, the Idaho ACLU is currently the primary group that addresses legislative issues having to do with corrections issues in the legislature.

Background: Founded in 1993 as an affiliate of the national ACLU, ACLU Idaho works on many issues including freedom of expression, immigrant rights, gay and lesbian rights, prison issues, and voting rights. Based in Boise, Idaho, the Idaho ACLU is currently the primary group that addresses legislative issues having to do with corrections issues in the legislature.

In 2005: The ACLU partnered with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to address the issue of sexual assault of people confined in prisons and jails. Together they approached the Idaho Department of Correction and the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, the group that insures Idaho’s counties and so handles lawsuits against the counties for sexual assaults that happen in county jails. Together the four parties talked about ways to support prisoner survivors of sexual assaults by other prisoners or prison/jail staff.

The current plan will create a hotline available to prisoners (as a toll-free number) that will connect them with existing community-based sexual assault programs. It also calls for a clear follow-up procedure so that if a prisoner needs to be moved for their safety, it can be done quickly. Negotiations will continue through 2006 to determine the best way to support survivors in these circumstances. The ACLU also continues to monitor conditions in Idaho's prisons and lead opposition to Idaho's death penalty.

For more information check out their website at www.acluidaho.org

This profile originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2005 Justice Matters.