Insights & Information

Note: The deadline for the RFP has been extended to Tuesday, October 9th.

The Adult Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to counties, groups of counties, or judicial circuits for funding to expand alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. The Adult Redeploy Illinois program provides grants to increase programming in their areas in exchange for reducing the number of people they send to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Funding is currently being provided for planning, expansion, extension, and implementation ramp-up efforts for local Adult Redeploy Illinois sites. Applications are due September 28, 2012, for the grant period running from November 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013. The full RFP can be viewed here, the cover page template can be viewed here, and the budget template can be viewed 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.

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.

In times of austerity, it can be very difficult for elected officials to advance any significant agenda items while also balancing a budget. The Cook County Board of Commissioners president, Toni Preckwinkle, is trying to reduce the number of individuals (currently 100,000 in Cook County annually) in the Cook County jail and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Ms. Preckwinkle cites the high costs of incarceration at $143 per inmate per day at Cook County jail and over $600 per person per day at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Ms. Preckwinkle has set specific goals to reduce the prison population, and currently, many other different proposals are being considered as well. To read more of this New York Times article by Adrienne Lu, 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

New York state has passed a new "911 Good Samaritan Law" designed to prevent deaths from alcohol and drug overdoses. The legislation encourages people to report drug or alcohol overdoses without fear of being charged with possession of small amounts of drugs. The bill was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in July and has been in effect since September 18, making New York the fourth state to have such a law. For more info, click here.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (IL-D) recently announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $4,850,881 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs that aim to provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, family or adult drug treatment courts, and juvenile delinquent rehabilitation programs. To read more about which programs will receive funding, click here.

Recently, the Senate eliminated funding for the Second Chance Act in their version of the FY 12 funding bill for the Department of Justice. In April 2008, the Second Chance Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law. Providing a common sense, evidence-based approach to improving outcomes for people returning to communities from prisons and jails, this legislation authorizes federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services that can help reduce recidivism. Although allocated $100 million in fiscal year 2010, funding for these programs has progressively diminished. In July, the House Appropriations Committee provided $70 million in their fiscal year 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. Although funding was eliminated in the Senate bill, there is still time to restore funding for the program when the House and Senate Appropriations Committees attempt to resolve differences between the two spending bills.

Congressional leaders are expected to meet next week to come to agreement on FY12 funding levels, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has pledged to work to restore Second Chance Act funding through the conference process. To read more about the Senate's funding cut, click here or here. To read more about advocacy against the cut by faith leaders, click here. To reach out to your elected officials and tell them it is urgent that they include $70-100 million in funding for the Second Chance Act for FY2012, click here.

Governor Pat Quinn has announced plans to shut down two correctional facilities, Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Murphysboro and Logan Correctional Center, to address a significant budget shortfall. The Department of Corrections (IDOC) houses almost 50,000 inmates but is only designed for 33,000. The John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA) has released a statement expressing concern that, without a reduction in prisoner population, closure of the Logan facility will "likely exacerbate DOC’s overcrowded conditions, jeopardize the safety of inmates and staff, and ultimately cost taxpayers more money." Furthermore, JHA recommends measures to reduce prison populations safely and cost-effectively. To read more, click here.