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Home My WebLink AboutResident TabletsIdaho Department of Correction Standard Operating Procedure Title: Resident Tablets 1 of 5 503.002 Version: 1 Adopted: 08/17/2026 Liz Neville, Chief of the Division of Prisons, approved this document and it was published on 08/17/2026. Open to the public: Yes No SCOPE This standard operating procedure (SOP) applies to all IDOC prison facilities, community reentry centers, and residents. Version Summary Version 1: This is a new SOP for a new process. TABLE OF CONTENTS Scope ....................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents ........................................................................................ 1 A. Statutory Authority ................................................................................. 2 B. Board of Correction IDAPA Rule ................................................................. 2 C. Governing Policy Statement ...................................................................... 2 D. Purpose ................................................................................................ 2 E. Responsibility ......................................................................................... 2 F. Definitions .............................................................................................. 2 G. Standard Procedures ............................................................................... 3 1. Issuance & Inventory .......................................................................... 3 2. Security ............................................................................................ 3 3. Transfer and Accountability .................................................................. 3 4. Damage, Misuse, or Loss ..................................................................... 4 5. Charging and Storage .......................................................................... 5 H. References ............................................................................................ 5 Document Number: 503.002 1 Title: Resident Tablets Page Number: 2 of 5 Idaho Department of Correction A. STATUTORY AUTHORITY 1. Idaho Code § 20-217A, Appointment of Director – Salary – Powers and Duties 2. Idaho Code § 20-244, Government and Discipline of the Correctional Facility – Rules and Regulations B. BOARD OF CORRECTION IDAPA RULE None C. GOVERNING POLICY STATEMENT It is the policy of the Board of Correction to allow residents access to electronic tablets for entertainment, education, and communication. Such communications must include management and monitoring capability to provide safety and security for facilities, staff, and the public. D. PURPOSE 1. To establish consistent guidelines for the issuance, use, monitoring, and accountability of state-owned resident tablets within IDOC facilities. 2. To ensure tablets are used safely, securely, and in a manner that supports facility operations and the rehabilitative needs of residents. 3. To outline expectations for responsible use and the processes to follow in cases of loss, damage, or misuse. E. RESPONSIBILITY 1. Facility Head a. Implement this SOP and ensure compliance of staff. b. Issue a field memorandum (as needed) to establish additional security measures for tablet use based on the specific facility needs. F. DEFINITIONS 1. Correctional Management System (CMS): A digital platform used by correctional agencies to store, manage, and analyze comprehensive data about individuals throughout their entire criminal justice process, including intake, sentencing, incarceration, parole, and probation, allowing for informed decision- making regarding their supervision and rehabilitation. This includes systems such as Reflections, CIS, and Atlas. 2. Resident: A person who has been convicted of a crime against the laws of the state and ordered into the care and custody of the Board of Correction. Resident includes any use in Idaho law, Board of Correction rule, or IDOC policy or procedure of the terms “offender(s),” “prisoner(s)”, “inmate(s)”, “incarcerated person(s)”, or any other term referring to a person residing in a correctional facility in the care and custody of the Board of Correction. Document Number: 503.002 1 Title: Resident Tablets Page Number: 3 of 5 Idaho Department of Correction 3. Resident Tablet: A state-issued, locked-down electronic tablet provided to residents for approved purposes such as education, communication, recreation and programming. Resident tablets differ from mobile devices in that they are restricted to pre-approved applications, monitored for security, and remain property of the department. They are not authorized for general internet access or personal use. 4. Command Module: Third-party vendor application through which security staff have the ability to issue, un-issue, monitor, send messages, etc. on the tablets. Non-security staff (such as case managers and legal assistants) also have the ability to send messages to residents. G. STANDARD PROCEDURES 1. Issuance & Inventory a. Residents will be issued state-owned tablets for approved programming, education, and communication purposes. b. Tablets are only assigned to individual residents. c. An inventory log must be a maintained that lists each tablet and initial charger by asset number, resident name and IDOC number, date of issuance, date of return or transfer, and current status. d. Facility property staff must conduct audits at least quarterly to verify inventory accuracy, proper device assignment, and compliance with security and usage requirements. 2. Security a. Resident Tablets must operate under department-approved configurations, including: i. Locked-down applications and restricted access. ii. No capability for unauthorized internet browsing or app installation. iii. Remote monitoring and wipe capability in case of loss or misuse. b. Residents are prohibited from tampering with device settings or security features. 3. Transfer and Accountability a. When a resident transfers between facilities, the tablet must be returned to the issuing facility, and the receiving facility will issue a new tablet. i. Residents keep the issued charger for the duration of their incarceration. b. Upon release of a resident, the tablet and a functional charger must remain with the facility and be logged back into inventory. Document Number: 503.002 1 Title: Resident Tablets Page Number: 4 of 5 Idaho Department of Correction c. Resident-Purchased Digital Media and Data: Because access to resident digital content (including music, books, photos, and other media) is governed by contractual agreements between IDOC and third-party vendors, IDOC cannot guarantee continued access to any resident-purchased digital content after release, transfer, or changes in vendor services or tablet technology. 4. Damage, Misuse, or Loss a. Residents are prohibited from willfully damaging, destroying tablets or intentionally rendering any tablet or charger unusable. b. Misuse includes any non-approved use including tampering, bypassing security settings, accessing another resident’s device, disabling monitoring functions, or using the device or its charger in a manner inconsistent with this SOP. c. If a resident tablet is damaged, misused or lost, staff must complete an Information Report and document damage in Command Module. i. If damage, misuse, or loss is connected to a major rule violation, staff will follow SOP 105.001, Reporting of Major Incidents and SOP 318.001, Disciplinary Procedures for Residents. d. Based on the circumstances, staff must determine whether the damage or misuse is intentional, negligent, or accidental, or tied to medical or mental-health issues. i. If medical or mental-health related, staff must direct the resident to the Health Services Request process. e. When a resident reports their tablet is missing or staff discovers a tablet unaccounted for, staff must: i. Immediately attempt to locate the tablet through security, housing, and property checks. ii. Verify last known possession using Command Module data. iii. Review camera footage if available and appropriate. iv. Document the loss in an Information Report. f. In a case of loss, the resident may be held responsible if negligence, theft, or intentional misplacement is suspected g. In the case of a second verified incident of damage, misuse, or loss, staff must provide corrective counseling to explain proper tablet use expectations along with written notice that further incidents will lead to restricted access. h. In the case of a third instance of tablet damage or loss, the assigned supervisor will review the resident’s behavior pattern and determine appropriate corrective actions or interventions. Document Number: 503.002 1 Title: Resident Tablets Page Number: 5 of 5 Idaho Department of Correction i. The access plan must be individualized to safety, behavior, and facility needs. i. In the case of a fourth or subsequent incident, facility leadership will review and determine additional interventions, such as, mental health referral, case management follow-up, or placement review, considering behavior patterns and security concerns. j. If a resident’s tablet access is restricted, staff must ensure the resident has access to all necessary paper forms and telephone for any required communication. i. Staff will determine when issuing of a replacement table is appropriate. 5. Charging and Storage a. Each facility, if possible, should establish a supervised community charging station to ensure chargers remain in IDOC’s custody, support accountability, and reduce individual charger loss or misuse. b. In higher-custody or restricted-movement settings where a community charging station is not feasible, facilities must maintain a secure, staff-controlled charging process. Chargers and tablets must be collected, securely stored, and charged in a designated staff-supervised area. c. All chargers and tablets must be securely stored when not in use, regardless of custody level, to maintain IDOC control, prevent damage or loss, and reduce contraband risk d. Defective chargers will be replaced by IDOC, consistent with vendor warranty processes. H. REFERENCES 1. Forms a. Information Report 2. Cited Documents a. SOP 105.001, Reporting of Major Incidents b. SOP 318.001, Disciplinary Procedures for Residents 3. Other Significant Documents a. Idaho Code § 18-2510, Possession, Introduction Or Removal Of Certain Articles Into Or From Correctional Facilities [https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title18/T18CH25/SECT18- 2510/] b. ITA, Enterprise Policy 4500 – Category P4500 – Mobile Device Management [https://ita.idaho.gov/psg/p4550] – End of Document –