Insights & Information

As the population of the Illinois' Department of Corrections nears 50,000, the proportion of resources that IDOC must use for healthcare is growing, and with that, the resources available for programs that can reduce recidivism are on the decline. A recent report published by the John Howard Association of Illinois highlights the burdens of this healthcare system and provides fifteen recommendations to improve it. Not only does the inadequate healthcare systems in Illinois prisons effect the lives of those that occupy cells, if improperly treated, once released, releasees may bring communicable diseases to his or her community. To improve the prison healthcare system, JHA suggests that IDOC provide the female population gender-based programming, that IDOC and state legislators study alternatives to incarceration for Illinois’ growing elderly incarcerated population, and that IDOC prepare to enroll inmates in Medicaid in 2014. To read the other recommendations, view the full report here.

Please join us:

Sunday, March 18, 2012, 3:00 PM
Safer Foundation, 571 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago

IACJ will recognize the work of:

• U.S. Senator Dick Durbin for sponsoring the Fair Sentencing Act, signed into law in 2010 and reduces the sentencing disparity in the mandatory penalties for possession of crack versus powder cocaine. Senator Durbin is unable to attend on March 18 and his award will be presented at a later date.


• U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis for sponsoring the Second Chance Act, originally signed into law in 2008 and provides federal seed grants for programs that assist individuals released from prison to successfully reenter society


• IL State Senator Mattie Hunter for leading the Illinois Disproportionate Justice Impact Study Commission, which addresses racial disparities in justice system’s response to drug crimes


• IL State Senator Kwame Raoul for sponsoring the Illinois Crime Reduction Act, which invests in community-based solutions to nonviolent, drug-related crime

With corrections reform at the top of state and federal policy agendas, this is an opportunity to recognize legislators whose leadership has been, and continues to be, instrumental in improving policy.

RSVP: To confirm your attendance, please send an email with your name, title, and organization/affiliation to Jon.Kaplan@SaferFoundation.org.

We look forward to seeing you on March 18!

The Vera Institute of Justice's Center on Sentencing and Corrections and Cost-Benefit Analysis Unit developed a methodology to calculate the taxpayer cost of prisons, including costs outside states’ corrections budgets. Among the 40 states that participated in a survey, the cost of prisons was $38.8 billion in fiscal year 2010, $5.4 billion more than what their corrections budgets reflected. States’ costs outside their corrections departments ranged from less than 1 percent of total prison costs in Arizona to as much as 34 percent in Connecticut. In Illinois, the average annual cost per inmate in FY2010 was $38,268, significantly higher than the $22,043 reported in the Illinois Department of Corrections' 2010 Annual Report. Vera's full report provides the taxpayer cost of incarcerating a sentenced adult offender to state prison in 40 states, presents the methodology, and concludes with recommendations about steps policy makers can take to safely rein in these costs. To view the full report and state fact sheets, click here.

A report released in November 2011 by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission charges that the state's juvenile justice system is failing to rehabilitate and return to society the youth involved in it. The Commission noted that more than half of youth released from the system return to incarceration with the juvenile system, and that it also serves as a "feeder" system for the adult correctional system. To read more in an article by Ryan Haggerty in the Chicago Tribune, click here.

In 2010-11, the John Howard Association (JHA) assessed the state of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) -- reforms achieved, problem areas in need of change, and obstacles to those changes. Since its inception in 2006, DJJ has worked toward becoming a youth-focused, rehabilitative, and treatment-based department in order to create better outcomes for youth. JHA conducted almost 20 facility visits and analyzed data regarding population, discipline, staffing levels, mental health assessments, and more to inform the final report, which found that while DJJ is improving operation and services, areas in need of significant improvement remain. A number of obstacles, including budget constraints and population levels, hinder reform within the department. However, JHA asserts that addressing these obstacles will be crucial to curb spending and form a complete system for youth. To read the final report, click here.

The John Howard Association (JHA) recently released a report on Stateville Northern Reception & Classification Center (NRC), the state's largest intake, classification, and processing unit for male inmates entering state custody. NRC serves as the first point of contact for the majority of male prisoners in the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC), receiving and classifying approximately 4,000 new inmates (including those scheduled to appear in court and those charged with parole violations) each month. To read more, click here.

On October 27, 2011, The Emergency Services Access Act (SB 1701) passed the Illinois House of Representatives by a 61-53 vote. The bill would provide limited immunity for those who possess small amounts of drugs if they call 911 or seek medical help in an overdose situation, which could potentially save many lives in Illinois. This news comes as other states, such as New York, have recently enacted similar laws. To read more of this Naperville Sun News article, click here.

On October 24, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn announced a number of appointments to the state’s more than 320 boards and commissions, including the Prisoner Review Board, to which he appointed three members: Charles Bowers, Edith Crigler, and Eric Althoff. Charles Bowers of Edwards, former police offer from Peoria and a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, has served on the Prisoner Review board since 2006. Edith Crigler of Chicago, president of the Chicago Jobs Council’s Board of Directors and City Wide Restorative Justice committee member, was appointed by Governor Quinn to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission in 2010. Eric Althoff of Effingham, Effingham County coroner and volunteer firefighter for over 20 years, has served on the Prisoner Review Board since 2004.

Governor Quinn is currently conducting a top-to-bottom review of Illinois’ boards and commissions to seek out ways to increase efficiency and save costs. Citizens who are interested in serving on boards and commissions can now apply online. For more information on all of the state’s boards and commissions, click here.

Join the National Reentry Resource Center and Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network for a webinar, "Innovations in Substance Abuse Treatment: Continuing Care and Medicated Assisted Treatments for the Criminal Justice Population." Presenters will discuss the impact of a “continuing care model” to treat substance use disorders on the outcomes of justice-involved individuals. Presenters will also discuss medications for the treatment of alcohol and opioid addiction in relation to their effect on the brain and use with justice-involved individuals.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
1:00-2:30 p.m. Central Time
To register for this webinar, click here.

Save the date for a summit and press conference on a proposed law to seal additional offenses, increasing the likelihood that ex-offenders can get a second chance at jobs, housing, and education in Illinois.

Saturday, October 29, 2011
9:00AM – 5:00PM
United for Better Living, Inc.
4540 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL
For more info, call 773-738-1480