Insights & Information

The vast majority of people released from prison return home. A new paper by Jeremy Travis, Ronald Davis, and Sarah Lawrence published by the Harvard Kennedy School and the National Institute of Justice explores the role of the police in facilitating successful community reentry. In Exploring the Role of the Police in Prisoner Reentry, authors note that the police have traditionally played little part in such transitions, both because they have viewed their role as limited to the surveillance for violations of release terms or new crimes and because of mistrust between law enforcement and community providers. The authors hold that police departments, particularly in urban areas, have a major role to play in community reentry, in part because of high recidivism rates and the concentration of poor, high-crime neighborhoods. To read about such efforts in Detroit, click here. 

Cook County's Justice Advisory Council has published a report with results from its study of the county's bond court and pre-trial services. County President Toni Preckwinkle announced on July 12 that implementation of initiatives recommended in the report are already underway. The study was conducted with cooperation by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Clerk of the Court Dorothy Brown, Sheriff Tom Dart, State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, and Public Defender Abishi Cunningham, with a goal of improving conditions for people who have contact with bond court. President Preckwinkle has repeatedly noted concerns about the number of people with low-level charges detained in jail who do not truly represent a threat to public safety but are not released simply because they cannot afford to pay their bond. To read more in a piece by Sebastian James on Cook County's blog and to access the full report, click here. To read a July 17 letter to the editor in the Chicago Tribune co-authored by IACJ Chair and Vice Chair, click here.

Outside the Walls Ministries is hosting "A Celebration of Freedom and Recovery." The event will celebrate the lives and newfound freedom of men and women who have paid their debt to society and promote the reconnection of families once broken due to incarceration. This day will offer a spiritual atmosphere emphasizing the importance of faith-based consciousness in productive reentry and in sustaining the effort to remain free, clean, sober, and serene. Information about community resources available to people reentering society will be available. Food, musical entertainment, and special guest speakers will be featured, and the first 500 guests will receive free gift bags. Click here for a flyer (PDF) with more information.

Saturday, September 8
11AM - 4PM
Douglas Park
Chicago, IL

IACJ is pleased to announce that the association is seeking an Executive Director to develop membership, policy agenda, organizational structure, and sustainability strategy. Key functions include serving as chief staff executive, and recommending and participating in the formulation of policies and decision-making with existing policies as they have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the programs and activities of the association to assure that objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs met. The position will maintains effective internal and external relationships, and achieve economical, productive performance, forward-looking programming, and constructive growth of the association.

To view the full position description, qualifications, and salary range, and to submit an application and resume, please click here.

Applicants may also mail a resume and cover letter to:

Marketer Ash
Human Resources
Safer Foundation
571 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60661

(Open: 7-13-2012)
EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

On June 22, Governor Pat Quinn signed SB2621, a proposal intended to increase accountability in the state's prison system by setting new guidelines that strengthen the Department of Corrections' (DOC) ability to manage the prison population. The bill, which passed both houses with bi-partisan support and with the endorsements of many criminal justice organizations, promotes safety inside prisons by allowing DOC to award sentence credit to non-violent offenders who have shown willingness to correct their behavior through successful completion of rehabilitation. Sentencing credit has existed in Illinois law since 1978, but under the new law, inmates will only be eligible to receive sentence credit after serving at least 60 days in DOC custody. Going forward, DOC will consider and evaluate prior offenses, circumstances of the current holding offense, as well as the potential for rehabilitation prior to the decision to award sentencing credit. DOC will also have the right to revoke credit if negative or violent behavior is demonstrated. In order to qualify for sentencing credit, inmates will be required to successfully complete rehabilitation treatments, which could include substance abuse treatment, adult education, and behavior modification or life skills programs, and for completion of a GED while in custody. SB 2621 is effective immediately. To read the Governor's announcement, click here.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn finalized the State's FY13 budget on Saturday, proceeding with plans to close the Tamms and Dwight Correctional Centers, along with three Adult Transition Centers (ATCs) -- The Southern Illinois ATC, Decatur ATC, and Westside ATC. (North Lawndale, Crossroads, Peoria, and Fox Valley ATCs will remain operational.) These closures, along with the closures of several juvenile justice facilities and mental health and developmental health centers, represent the administration's efforts to enact a balanced budget by implementing discretionary spending reductions, paying off old debt, restructuring the State's Medicaid program, and gaining efficiencies throughout State operations. To read the Governor's announcement, click here.