Idaho Maximum Security Institution (IMSI) is a maximum-security prison located in Kuna, Idaho. It is one of seven facilities in a small area known as the “South Boise Prison Complex.” IMSI houses Idaho’s execution chamber and the death row for male inmates. This facility houses Idaho’s most violent and disruptive offenders.
IMSI opened in November 1989 to confine Idaho’s most disruptive male residents. It has a capacity of 549 residents and is located within a double perimeter fence reinforced with razor wire and an electronic detection system. The population is primarily comprised of close custody and administrative segregation inmates.
The facility is designed to house inmates who have committed serious crimes and pose a threat to themselves or others. IMSI is equipped with the latest security technology, including an electronic detection system and a double perimeter fence reinforced with razor wire. The prison is staffed by highly trained professionals who are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates.
IMSI has strict regulations that must be followed by all inmates. Inmates are assigned an ID number and must use this number when sending and receiving mail. Inmates are also required to wear specific clothing and follow procedures for sending and receiving money. Tobacco and cell phones are strictly prohibited, and inmates who violate these rules may face fines or disciplinary detention. Visiting schedules are also regulated, and non-contact visits may be required for inmates with acute mental illness or other mental health issues.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 549 |
| Physical Address | 13400 S. Pleasant Valley Rd Kuna, ID 83634 |
| Mailing Address | Idaho State Maximum Institution PO Box 51 Boise, ID 83707 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 208-338-1635 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History of Idaho Maximum Security Institution
Idaho Maximum Security Institution is a maximum-security prison located near Kuna, Idaho. It is one of seven facilities in a small area known as the “South Boise Prison Complex.” IMSI opened in November 1989 to confine Idaho’s most disruptive male residents. It has a capacity of 549 residents and is located within a double perimeter fence reinforced with razor wire and an electronic detection system.
Before IMSI was built, Idaho’s maximum-security prison was located in the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, which was opened in 1872. When Idaho became a state in 1890, the state took over and renamed the facility the Idaho State Penitentiary. The prison housed inmates for 101 years before it was closed in December 1973 after inmates rioted over living conditions. The sandstone structure is now a museum.
IMSI was built to replace the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. The new facility was designed to be more secure and to provide better living conditions for inmates. IMSI was built to house Idaho’s most violent and disruptive offenders. It was also built to provide more space for inmates who were in protective custody or who needed medical attention.
Over the years, IMSI has faced several challenges, including overcrowding and staffing shortages. In 2011, an inmate at IMSI, Curtis Allgier, killed a corrections officer while being transported to a medical appointment. The incident led to a review of security procedures at the prison.
Despite these challenges, IMSI continues to be an important part of Idaho’s criminal justice system. The prison provides a secure environment for inmates who pose a risk to society. It also provides programs and services to help inmates prepare for their release and reentry into society.
Location and Housing
The Idaho Maximum Security Institution is located in Kuna, Idaho, within the South Boise Prison Complex, which comprises seven detention facilities.
IMSI’s housing units are divided into four distinct areas: general population, administrative segregation, disciplinary detention, and death row. The general population area includes two cell blocks, each with four tiers of cells. Inmates in this area have access to a common area, where they can watch TV, play games, and socialize during designated hours.
Administrative segregation is reserved for inmates who pose a threat to the safety and security of the facility. Inmates in this area are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and have limited access to recreation and programming.
Disciplinary detention is a short-term housing unit used to punish inmates who violate prison rules. Inmates in this area are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and have limited access to programming and recreation.
Death row is where Idaho’s male death row inmates are housed. Inmates in this area are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and have limited access to programming and recreation. Death row inmates are housed separately from the general population and administrative segregation inmates.
All inmates at IMSI are required to wear state-issued clothing and are assigned an ID number. Inmates can receive mail at the following inmate mailing address:
- Inmate Name, ID Number, Housing if known Idaho Maximum Security Institution PO Box 51 Boise, ID 83707
IMSI strictly enforces rules regarding contraband, including tobacco and cell phones. Inmates caught with contraband are subject to disciplinary action, including fines and loss of privileges.
IMSI also provides mental health services for inmates with acute mental illness. Inmates with mental illness are housed separately from the general population and receive specialized treatment.
Visitation and Regulations
Visitation at Idaho Maximum Security Institution is an important aspect of inmate rehabilitation and maintaining family connections. Visitors must follow strict rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of the facility.
Visiting hours at IMSI are determined by the unit where the inmate is housed. Visitors must schedule their visit in advance either through unit staff or by submitting a concern form. All visitors must arrive on time, or they will not be allowed entry into the facility. Check the visitation schedule at this link.
During visits, inmates and visitors are separated by a plexiglass barrier, and communication is conducted via telephone. Non-contact visits are also available, but they must be approved in advance by the unit manager.
Visitors must follow a strict dress code during visits. Clothing must be modest and not revealing, and visitors must wear undergarments. Visitors are not allowed to wear clothing that resembles inmate clothing or staff uniforms.
Visitors are not allowed to bring any items into the facility during visits. This includes cell phones, purses, and bags. Visitors are allowed to bring up to $20 in quarters to purchase items from vending machines in the visiting area.
All visiting rules and regulations must be followed, or the visit may be terminated. Visitors who violate the rules may be banned from visiting in the future.
In conclusion, visiting an inmate at IMSI is a privilege that comes with strict rules and regulations. Visitors must follow all rules to ensure the safety and security of the facility and maintain the privilege of visiting their loved ones.
Procedures and Sentencing
The Idaho Maximum Security Institution follows strict procedures for housing, managing, and treating inmates. These procedures are designed to ensure the safety of both the inmates and the staff. The institution has a capacity of 549 residents and is located within a double perimeter fence reinforced with razor wire and an electronic detection system.
Inmates who are sentenced to death are housed at IMSI. The institution has a specific standard operating procedure that applies to all inmates under the sentence of death committed to the department. This procedure also applies to all inmates previously under the sentence of death whose sentences have been rescinded and are awaiting a new sentence, staff at IMSI and Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center (PWCC), and the administrative team.
The execution procedures at IMSI are also strictly regulated. The administrative team consists of the Deputy Chief of the Division of Prisons, the IMSI Warden, the backup to the IMSI Warden for the purpose of serving as the executive director, and any additional IDOC staff the Director or the Chief of the Division of Prisons may appoint. The team is responsible for ensuring that the execution is carried out in a humane and lawful manner.
Inmates at IMSI may be eligible for parole, but the decision to grant parole is made by the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole. The commission considers a variety of factors when making this decision, including the inmate’s criminal history, institutional behavior, and the nature of the offense. Inmates who are granted parole are released to a community-based program where they are supervised by parole officers.
Overall, the procedures and sentencing at IMSI are designed to ensure that inmates are treated fairly and that the institution operates in a safe and secure manner. The institution’s staff is highly trained and committed to ensuring that the procedures are followed and that inmates receive the care and treatment they need.