7 reforms Idaho could make to address sexual abuse by prison staff

Idaho is not alone in grappling with widespread sexual abuse by prison staff. One of the biggest challenges to addressing this nationwide crisis is the “iron curtain” that protects prisons from independent and public scrutiny, said Michele Deitch, who runs the National Resource Center for Correctional Oversight. 

“When an institution has total control over people’s lives, abuse can happen,” Deitch said. “Independent oversight is critical as a way to alert the public to what’s going on inside and provide a vehicle for people inside to share their concerns about what’s happening to them.”