ID DOC – North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI)

ID DOC – North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 208-962-3276

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at North Idaho Correctional located at 236 Radar Rd in Cottonwood, ID are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

NICI is a former military radar station north of the small town of Cottonwood. This facility is a program-specific prison with an operating capacity of 414 male inmates. NICI primarily houses inmates sentenced under a retained jurisdiction sentence. Retained jurisdiction provides a sentencing alternative for courts to target offenders who might, after a period of programming and evaluation, be viable candidates for probation rather than incarceration. Most of the inmates at this facility are being incarcerated with the purpose of being rehabilitated and possibly released for probation. Inmates who qualify for early release/probation will display a positive attitude and modify their behavior by participating in programs and evaluations at the institution. NICI can often suffer from inclement weather conditions so visitors are encouraged to dress warmly in case they must wait in their vehicles. It is one of the few facilities that will allow you to dress in multi-layers, however, each piece of your clothing may be subject to a thorough search.

ID DOC – North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) – Probation & Parole
ID DOC – North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) – Education & Treatment
ID DOC – North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) – Reentry Services

visitation Info

ID DOC -North Idaho Correctional Institution (NICI) – Visitation

Visiting schedules are subject to change based on emergency situations. Please read and be familiar with the Visiting Rules for Offenders and Visitors and complete the visiting application process before visiting the facility. 

NICI  VISITING SCHEDULE

NOTE: Visitors must be on time to enter or they will be turned away.

Visiting will be two days a week – Saturday and Sunday and state holidays.

NICI Site-Specific Visiting Rules

Waiting Period – Due to the potential waiting period before being admitted to the facility and because of frequently inclement weather conditions, visitors are advised to dress accordingly. In cases of severe weather conditions, please wait inside your vehicle as the parking lot is not far from the facility entrance.

Attire – Multi-layered clothing such as coats and sweatshirts will be allowed at NICI during winter months and inclement weather, but are subject to search at anytime.

Check-In/Check-Out Procedures – Check-in will start at 12:00 p.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. Late arrivals will be denied entry that day. Check-out will occur immediately after visiting hours are over. Note: Visitors will be given one opportunity to leave at 2:00 p.m. Those who choose to stay are required to remain in visiting until 3:30 p.m. except for medical emergencies.

Parking Area Rules:

• Visitors are not allowed in the parking area until 11:30 a.m. (local time) and must stay in their vehicles until check-in begins.
• Visitors must leave the parking area promptly after checking out.
• No unattended pets are allowed in the parking area.
• Loud music emanating from vehicles is prohibited.
• Attempting to communicate in any way with an offender from the parking lot is prohibited.
• Do not park vehicles in fire lanes. Parking in handicapped zones requires authorized and properly displayed identification tags.
• Taking photographs or videos of the facility, offenders, or staff is prohibited.

Note: The use of tobacco products on IDOC property is not allowed, to include parking areas. No tobacco can be brought into any facility. All tobacco products must be stored in a locked vehicle.