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IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION <br />Grievance and Appeal Process Handout <br />Appendix A <br />316.04.01.001 <br />(Appendix last updated 2/14/11) <br /> <br />What if I have a concern while on probation or parole? <br />Sometimes issues or concer ns arise while on supervision, but the first step in avoiding <br />issues or concerns is to know and follow the rules. The Idaho Department of Correction <br />(IDOC) uses policies, directives, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to establish <br />expectations for both staff and offenders. The second step in avoiding issues or concerns is <br />to talk to your supervising probation and parole officer (PPO). Your PPO can provide access <br />to IDOC policies, directives, and SOPs; review your court order or parole agreement with <br />you; and answer any questions that you have. If the PPO cannot answer you r question, he <br />will refer you to someone who can. <br />The following is a summary of the grievance and appeal process, but to learn more just ask <br />a staff member for access to SOP 316.04.01.001, Grievance and Appeal Procedure for <br />Offenders: Probation and Parole. <br />Attempt to Solve the Issue Informally <br />Offenders must avoid filing a grievance for problems that should be resolved informally. <br />Overloading the grievance system slows the process and reduces probation and parole <br />staff members’ ability to properly address the issue being grieved. <br />Make a good-faith and respectful attempt to discuss the issue or concern with the <br />probation and parole staff member who made the decision, took the action, etc. If you do <br />not feel comfortable discussing the issue or concern with the probation and parole staff <br />member, you may ask to discuss the issue with a section supervisor, district manager , or <br />higher level of authority (as appropriate and necessary). If the problem cannot be solved, <br />you may file a grievance. <br />File a Grievance <br />Within 30 days of your attempt to solve the issue informally, complete a Grievance and <br />Appeal Form in accordance with SOP 316.04.01.001. The Grievance and Appeal Form <br />is a dual purpose form, so it is imperative that you check the “I am filing a grievance” <br />box. <br />If you do not feel that the grievance process resolved the issue, you may file an appeal. <br />File an Appeal <br />The grievance decision will be mailed or hand-delivered to you, folded and secured in a <br />manner that affords confidentiality. Within seven (7) days of the post-marked envelope <br />date or the grievance being hand-delivered to you, complete and submit a new <br />Grievance and Appeal Form in accordance with SOP 316.04.01.001. (If the grievance <br />decision is mailed to you, do not discard the envelope because it may be used as <br />evidence to determine when you reasonably should have received a copy of the <br />grievance.) The Grievance and Appeal Form is a dual purpose form, so it is imperative <br />that you check the “I am filing an appeal” box, and write the related grievance number on <br />the form. <br />If you do not feel that the appeal process resolved the issue, you may file a complaint <br />with the district court that has jurisdiction. If you elect to file a complaint against the <br />IDOC, it shall be your responsibility to obtain the correct forms from the court, complete <br />them, and submit them to the court. IDOC staff will not assist you in any w ay with the <br />filing of the complaint.