Idaho State Prisons
9 facilities- ID DOC - Idaho Correctional Institution - Orofino (ICIO)
- ID DOC - Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI)
- ID DOC - Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC)
- ID DOC - Idaho State Correctional Institution (ISCI)
- ID DOC - Mountain View Transformation Center (MVTC)
Idaho County Jails
36 facilities- Ada County Jail
- Adams County ID Jail
- Bannock County Detention Center
- Bingham County Jail
- Blaine County ID Jail
Idaho Department of Corrections
IDOC's offender search allows searches by IDOC number or name. Idaho has contracted with private prisons - some Idaho inmates may be housed at the Idaho Correctional Center (CoreCivic) south of Boise.
The official inmate search is available at www.idoc.idaho.gov/content/prisons/offender_search. Federal inmates from Idaho are often housed at FCI Sheridan (OR) - about 5 hours from Boise.
Visitation in Idaho Facilities
IDOC visitor approval requires a visitor registration form submitted through the facility. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. No orange or red clothing.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Idaho prison directory.
Sending Mail to Idaho Inmates
IDOC mail requires the inmate's IDOC number. Standard 4x6 photos accepted. If your inmate is at Idaho Correctional Center (ICC, privately operated by CoreCivic), mail policies may differ slightly from state-operated facilities.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Idaho facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Idaho Facilities
Idaho is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds most Idaho DOC contracts.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Idaho prison directory.
Sending Money to Idaho Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Idaho:
- JPay (primary for IDOC)
- Money orders mailed to facility
- Lobby kiosks at some facilities
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Idaho
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Idaho:
- Idaho Commission for Pardons and Parole - Parole information for Idaho inmates
- Idaho Legal Aid Services - Free civil legal help statewide
- Corpus Christi House - Boise-based reentry services
- Idaho Reentry Services - Official IDOC reentry programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Idaho Prisons
What is an IDOC number?
IDOC stands for Idaho Department of Correction - the state agency that manages Idaho's sentenced prison population. Every person sentenced to Idaho state prison is assigned a unique IDOC number at intake. The number stays with the inmate through their entire sentence and must appear on the outside of every envelope you mail to an IDOC facility. Mail without the IDOC number is likely to be delayed or returned without a clear explanation. Find your inmate's IDOC number through the IDOC Offender Search at idoc.idaho.gov - search by name and the number will appear in the results. Keep it written somewhere accessible - you'll need it for every piece of mail, every JPay deposit, every call to facility staff.
What is the Idaho Correctional Center?
The Idaho Correctional Center south of Boise is a medium-security facility operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company, under contract with Idaho DOC. ICC was the subject of serious controversy in the early 2010s - a federal investigation and civil litigation documented alarming levels of inmate-on-inmate violence, earning it the grim nickname 'Gladiator School.' Idaho and CoreCivic undertook significant changes to operations and staffing in response, and independent oversight has been more rigorous since that period. Private prison operations remain controversial nationally, and conditions can differ from state-operated facilities even when both house the same state's inmates. If your family member is at ICC, contact CoreCivic ICC directly at 208-548-2100 for facility-specific policies - the main IDOC line covers state-operated facilities only.
Does Idaho have free prison phone calls?
No - Idaho has not eliminated phone call fees at state facilities. Securus Technologies holds most IDOC contracts. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps reduced per-minute rates at state and federal facilities, but calls in Idaho are still charged per minute. Idaho's correctional system is relatively small - about 9,500 state inmates - but phone costs have historically been a significant burden for families, particularly those with inmates at facilities that are hours from major population centers. If phone costs are a barrier, written mail and JPay electronic messaging are the most cost-effective ways to maintain regular contact with someone in an Idaho facility.
How do I find an Idaho inmate at a private prison?
The IDOC Offender Search at idoc.idaho.gov covers both state-operated and contract facilities, including Idaho Correctional Center (CoreCivic) and any other contract placements. Search by name or IDOC number and the current facility will be displayed regardless of whether it is state-operated or privately managed. If your inmate is at ICC, the IDOC search will show the ICC facility name. From there, contact ICC directly for policies on mail, visitation, and phone - CoreCivic-operated facilities sometimes have slightly different procedures than state facilities even though the inmates are technically in IDOC custody. If the online search shows no results, your inmate may have transferred very recently - call IDOC Central Records with the full legal name and IDOC number.
Can I visit an Idaho inmate on a weekday?
Most Idaho state facilities offer visitation primarily on weekends, with limited weekday visiting for immediate family members available at some facilities on a case-by-case basis. Before traveling to any Idaho facility on a weekday, contact the facility directly to confirm whether weekday visits are available for your inmate's specific unit and security level. Video visitation through JPay is available at many IDOC facilities and provides a more flexible option for families who cannot make weekend in-person visits. Idaho's geography - particularly for facilities in the Treasure Valley area near Boise and those in northern Idaho - means that confirming schedules before any trip is essential to avoid a wasted drive.
What programming is available at Idaho state prisons?
Idaho DOC offers a range of programming across its facilities, with availability varying significantly by location and security level. GED preparation and adult basic education are available at most locations. The SOAR substance abuse program addresses dependency - relevant given that substance-related offenses represent a significant portion of Idaho's incarcerated population. Vocational programs in trades vary by facility. Cognitive behavioral programs addressing thinking patterns linked to criminal behavior are available at multiple facilities. Faith-based programming is offered at most locations. Participation in programming typically affects earned time credit and parole eligibility in Idaho - it is worth the effort. Your inmate's case manager is the best source of specific information about what's available at their current facility and how to get placed in programs.