Trending Topics

Idaho DOC officer resigns after viewing inmate’s intake photos

The officer allegedly then messaged her on social media about her tattoos and scars

By Cynthia Sewell
The Idaho Statesman

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho Department of Correction officer has resigned after an investigation found he inappropriately contacted a former female inmate via social media after viewing photos of her body taken when she was admitted into the prison.

Matt D. Johnson resigned Sept. 4, IDOC Director Henry Atencio told the Statesman.

Typically, when an inmate is admitted to prison, distinguishing tattoos, scars and other marks are photographed. The photos become part of the inmate’s record, which is stored in a database for official prison use only.

The woman alleged Johnson viewed IDOC’s photos of her and then messaged her on Facebook with comments about her tattoos and scars.

Prison officials began an internal investigation in July upon learning about the incident after the woman took screenshots of her online message exchange with Johnson and posted it to social media to draw attention to Johnson’s behavior.

The prison’s internal investigation “sustained the allegations” made by the woman, Atencio said. The Statesman is not identifying the woman.

Atencio would not comment further on Johnson or the investigation, saying it is a personnel matter.

“This is something we take very seriously,” Atencio told the Statesman in July. “If true, it is a breach of public trust. We hold our staff to a higher level than that.”

IDOC hired Johnson in February 2015. He worked at Idaho State Correctional Institution, a medium-security men’s prison south of Boise.

The Statesman has reached out to the woman’s attorney for comment. Johnson could not be reached.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU