Safety

The Illinois dept of corrections takes many safety measures for people inside and out of prisons. It also is working with health and social service agencies to make sure inmates are getting the medical care they need and are living safe and healthy lives when they return home.

One of the most important tasks for intelligence investigators at IDOC is tracking inmate behavior. They have the ability to access video and audio recordings of inmate conversations, and to look at emails that may be from family members or friends.

There is evidence that illegal, synthetic drugs are being introduced into IDOC facilities through mail that offenders receive. These are dangerous substances that can cause serious harm to staff, inmates and the community.

In order to protect the health and safety of those who are incarcerated, Governor Pritkzer has made it so transfers can’t happen until he determines they’re safe. This decision is necessary to ensure that all inmates are being given the care they need and are returning home safely.

Security

The Illinois dept of corrections provides housing and supervision of incarcerated people. They also work with communities to provide reentry services.

For more than a decade, civil-rights advocates have been fighting to get the Department of Corrections to better treat people with mental illness. That struggle is now being stymied by the department terminating its independent federal monitor, Restore Justice and Equip for Equality said.

According to a recent report in the Decatur Herald & Review, Tamms prison security staff began pat downing inmates two days after a reporter interviewed employees. It is not clear how many of these pat downs occurred and if any of them resulted in injuries.

The Illinois dept of corrections uses a three level security designation system to categorize inmates at different facilities, including Tamms. This system is used to determine the level of security needed for each facility and ensures that inmates are placed in facilities with the appropriate level of security, Puzzello said.

Treatment

The Illinois dept of corrections offers a variety of treatment services for those who suffer from mental illness. It also provides programs that help inmates with substance use disorders and addictions to get back on their feet.

But civil-rights advocates say the state has failed to hire enough staff to provide care to everyone who needs it, which can cause serious problems for inmates with mental illness. That’s one reason a federal court monitor ruled that the DOC violated a settlement between the agency and civil-rights groups.

Pablo Stewart, the psychiatrist who oversees the settlement agreement, says many mentally ill inmates are kept isolated and don’t receive treatment at all. That’s causing them to act out and become a threat to other inmates and prison staff. The problem is even worse at Pontiac Correctional Center, where there aren’t enough mental health workers to meet the needs of all the inmates.

Community Reentry

Reentry improves public safety, reduces recidivism and lowers corrections costs. Reentry services include employment training, education and housing resources to help reentrants find jobs that pay enough to live on and provide support for their families.

Community reentry services also include community-based programs that prepare people to return to their communities. These programs can help reentrants overcome barriers to employment, such as lack of education and a criminal record, that can hinder their ability to compete for jobs and support themselves and their families.

The Illinois dept of corrections offers a variety of reentry services to individuals released from prisons or local jails. These services include employment, education, substance abuse and mental health services, and housing assistance.