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State PrisonIdaho • Facility Guide

Idaho State Correctional Institution

Find messaging, video, and phone options for Idaho State Correctional Institution. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.

State PrisonType
Ada CountyCounty
Medium / CloseSecurity
Facility Type
State Facility
Security Level
Medium / Close
Inmate Capacity
1,400 approx.
Established
1973
Operated By
Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC)

Idaho State Correctional Institution Inmate Communication Overview

Idaho State Correctional Institution (ISCI) is the primary state prison complex operated by the Idaho Department of Correction, located near Kuna in Ada County, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Boise. The facility is the hub of Idaho's correctional system, housing adult male inmates at medium and close-security classifications and serving as the intake and assessment center for the Idaho DOC. Kuna is a small city on the edge of the Boise metropolitan area, and the prison complex sits in the agricultural plain southwest of the city. ISCI is among the largest correctional facilities in Idaho and is central to the state's prison administration.

Communication at ISCI follows Idaho DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Idaho DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC statewide contract. The standard two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. Each platform requires a separate account, and stamps and phone credits are not interchangeable between them.

ISCI's location about 20 miles from downtown Boise makes it more accessible for Boise-area families than many rural Idaho facilities. US-20 and US-26 connect the Boise metro area to Kuna and the surrounding region. For families in Twin Falls, Pocatello, or Idaho Falls, the facility is further afield but still within the range of a day trip on Idaho's highway network. Idaho DOC accounts created for ISCI carry over to any other Idaho state facility if an inmate is reclassified and transferred elsewhere in the system.

Facility Information

Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.

Address

13400 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Kuna, ID 83634

Main Phone

(208) 331-2900

Administrative line — not for inmate calls

Official Website

Visit official site

Visit and Contact Details

Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.

Mail

Inmate Name and ID Number, Idaho State Correctional Institution, PO Box 14, Boise, ID 83707. Include the inmate's full name and ID number on every envelope.

Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.

Visiting Hours

Visits are on assigned days and times only, per the IDOC visiting schedule for ISCI. Visitors must complete the visiting application process first, and visitors enter the gatehouse during designated entry times. No visiting is allowed during the reception and diagnostic process.

Communication Options

Available communication services at Idaho State Correctional Institution.

Messaging

Available

Electronic messages to and from the inmate.

Provider: JPay

Full JPay messaging available. Requires Idaho DOC number.

Video Calls

Available

Remote or in-person video visitation.

Provider: GTL

Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.

Photo Sharing

Available

Send approved digital or physical photos.

Provider: JPay

Digital photos via JPay. Subject to IDOC content guidelines.

Phone Calls

Available

Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.

Provider: GTL

Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.

Money Transfer

Available

Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.

Provider: JPay

Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.

Communication Providers at Idaho State Correctional Institution

These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.

JPay

MessagingVideoPhotosPhoneMoney Transfer

Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Idaho DOC number.

View JPay Services

GTL

MessagingVideoPhotosPhoneMoney Transfer

Phone calls and video visitation under the Idaho DOC statewide contract.

View GTL Services

Communication Rules at Idaho State Correctional Institution

  • JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
  • Messages are reviewed by IDOC staff before delivery.
  • IDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Idaho facility.
  • Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
  • Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.

Other correctional facilities with communication guides.

MT • State

Montana State Prison

Powell County
Maximum
View Guide
WY • State

Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution

Carbon County
Medium / Close
View Guide
WA • State

Washington State Penitentiary

Walla Walla County
Maximum
View Guide

Frequently Asked Questions: Idaho State Correctional Institution

Common questions from families about communication at this facility.

How do I message someone at Idaho State Correctional Institution?
Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Idaho DOC number. Purchase stamps and send your message. IDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
How do I set up phone calls from ISCI?
Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
How far is ISCI from downtown Boise?
ISCI is near Kuna, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Boise, roughly a 25 to 30-minute drive. For Boise-area families, in-person visits are very accessible. For families in Twin Falls or Pocatello, the drive is longer but manageable as a day trip.
Does ISCI serve as an intake facility?
Yes. ISCI serves as the Idaho DOC's primary intake and assessment center. Newly sentenced inmates typically enter the system here before being classified and assigned to a permanent facility. If your loved one recently entered the Idaho system, they may be at ISCI temporarily during the assessment period.
How do I send money to an ISCI inmate?
Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Idaho State Correctional Institution. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
How do I address mail to someone at ISCI?
Use the inmate's full name and IDOC number, followed by Idaho State Correctional Institution, 13400 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Kuna, ID 83634. Include a complete return address. All mail is inspected before delivery.
Can I call an inmate at ISCI directly?
No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to approved numbers through GTL, so fund a GTL AdvancePay account and confirm your number is on the approved call list.
Why did calls from ISCI stop coming through?
Calls usually stop when the GTL balance runs out, the number leaves the approved call list, or phone privileges change. Check the GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still approved.
Why is my JPay message to ISCI still pending?
Messages are reviewed before delivery and can take a day or two to appear. If a message stays pending longer, confirm the IDOC number is correct and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
Can I send books or packages to someone at ISCI?
Books and publications generally must come directly from an approved vendor or publisher, not from individuals. Personal packages are restricted, so confirm the current mail rules with the facility before sending anything beyond a letter.

Troubleshooting at Idaho State Correctional Institution

Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.

Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
Why is my JPay account blocked?
A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked

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