IDOC and Richland Community College Join Forces to Lower Recidivism
Public Safety is the Goal when Inmates Graduate
CHICAGO – August 25, 2010 – The Illinois Department of Corrections and Richland Community College stood together on August 20th as 62 female inmates graduated and received their diplomas at Decatur Correctional Center. Thirty-one women in black caps and gowns received their GED certificates and thirty-one women in blue caps and gowns walked away with their college certificates in four Adult Education categories from Richland Community College. More... |
 IDOC and Job Partnership Working Together to Lower Recidivism
Public Safety is Targeted When Inmates Learn a New Way to Work
CHICAGO – August 23, 2010 – The Illinois Department of Corrections is partnering with a faith based organization “Job Partnership” to teach inmates how to be better citizens upon their release from incarceration. Fifteen currently incarcerated women participated in the current program at Dwight Correctional Center and received their diploma at a graduation ceremony held in the prison last week. More... |
Erickson Report Finds Serious Flaws in MGT Push Program,
Offers Guidelines for Improved Corrections Procedures
Quinn Administration Details New Public Safety Initiatives,
System-Wide Reforms Already Accomplished
CHICAGO - August 13, 2010 – Criminal justice expert David Erickson released his review of the Illinois Department of Corrections' Meritorious Good Time Push program Friday, reporting a number of serious flaws in the program, which was terminated in December 2009, and offering detailed recommendations to reform the prison system’s parole procedures. More... |
 ACA 140th Congress of Corrections Comes to Navy Pier
IDOC is awarded American Correctional Association's top Honor
CHICAGO - August 1, 2010 - As groups of Correctional officers, staff and leaders from across the country descended on Navy Pier they all had one thing in common; to teach and to learn the latest and greatest innovations in the corrections industry. More... |
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Segregation Issues on Front Burner
IDOC Partners with “Vera” to Map Out a New Direction for Illinois Prisons
CHICAGO – July 30, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Corrections continued on its path to outline a plan for addressing prison segregation issues with the guidance of the nationally recognized experts at the Vera Institute of Justice. The goal is to reduce prisoner isolation and create a “best practices” model for IDOC’s segregation population at no cost to IDOC through the use of grant funding. More... |
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Interagency agreement between IDOC & UIC will treat Medical Issues
"Pilot program has successful launch in treatment of HIV and Hepatitis C"
CHICAGO – July 27, 2010 – The Illinois Department of Corrections and University of Illinois at Chicago are partnering on a new Telemedicine Pilot Program designed to bring elaborate and sophisticated healthcare to inmates with HIV and Hepatitis C. This interagency pilot program successfully rolled out at three sites: Danville, Lincoln and Robinson Correctional Centers. More... |
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IDOC to host 4th Annual Women in Corrections-Illinois Conference
“Finding the Woman Within in 2010”
SPRINGFIELD – June 16, 2010 –The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will host the 4th Annual Women in Corrections-Illinois Conference Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2010, at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon, IL.
The conference theme, “Finding the Woman Within in 2010,” focuses on living a healthy life as well as career and personal well-being for the women who make a difference in corrections everyday. Topics involve health, finance, career and personal growth. More... |
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IDOC & IDOT Join Forces with IEMA to Help Clean Up after Devastating Tornadoes Work Crews in Dwight and Magnolia
CHICAGO - June 7, 2010 - On the night of June 5th tornadoes ripped through several towns in Illinois leaving devastation in their wake. Many homes were lost and sadly some lost their lives to these killer storms. The damage and debris trail is vast and the clean up seemingly insurmountable.
That’s where Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the Illinois Department of Transportation are stepping in to make the clean up a little easier on local officials and the citizens hit by this disaster. More... |
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Segregation issues are tackled at IDOC Partnering with “Vera” to create a new plan for Illinois Prisons
CHICAGO - June 4, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Corrections in its goal to outline a plan to address the issue of segregation in Illinois prisons is partnering with the nationally recognized experts at the Vera Institute of Justice. The goal is to work on reducing prisoner isolation and to create a “best practices” model for IDOC’s segregation population at no cost to IDOC through the use of grant funding.
Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Michael P. Randle says “Public and institutional safety are our top priorities."
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Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice recognize Correctional Officers of the Year for 2010
Five front line employees awarded top honors
SPRINGFIELD - May 4, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) today honored five outstanding front line employees as 2010 Correctional Officers of the Year at a ceremony in Springfield.
The winners were chosen from a field of 48 nominees, who were nominated for the award by their colleagues. The overall winners were chosen by the departments' executive staff.
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Carter, Crittenden named recipients of the Illinois Department of Corrections 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award
“Volunteers…Caring About the Needs of Others.”
SPRINGFIELD - April 28, 2010 – Gerald Carter at Logan Correctional Center and Chaplain Richard Crittenden at West Side Adult Transition Center were named the recipients of the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) at a recognition ceremony held today in Springfield. Carter and Crittenden were among volunteers of the state's 28 adult correctional centers and eight adult transition centers, who were being honored for their outstanding leadership and dedicated efforts in providing positive change in the lives of inmates. More... |
 IDOC’s Moms and Babies Program Celebrates 3rd Anniversary
Program helps strengthen family structure and enhance successful reentry back to the community
DECATUR – April 9, 2010 – The Moms and Babies Program at the Decatur Correctional Center held an open house today to celebrate its 3rd anniversary. Since opening in 2007, 25 moms and 19 babies have successfully completed the program, which is designed to help strengthen the special bond that is critical to a healthy mother and child relationship, while at the same time teaching inmates the tools to be a good parent after they reenter society. More... |
From the big house to historic homes
Thomson Correctional Center work crews help repair and maintain historic homes in Galena
GALENA – April 2, 2010 - History in Galena is more secured, thanks to work crews from the Thomson Correctional Center.
Inmates from the correctional center have performed repair and maintenance work on state-owned historic properties in the Jo Daviess County community the past several years, saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars and helping to maintain the authentic character of the Ulysses S. Grant Home Neighborhood. More... |
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IDOC SECA ambassadors recognized for their efforts in the 2009 SECA Campaign
IDOC remains highest giving state agency to SECA for nine consecutive years
SPRINGFIELD – April 1, 2010 – State and University Employees Combined Appeal (SECA) ambassadors of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) were recognized for their outstanding efforts in educating employees about the gift of giving to the SECA Campaign at a banquet held today at IDOC general headquarters.
For the ninth consecutive year, IDOC has been the highest giving agency to SECA. This year, IDOC employees donated more than $280,000. More... |
IDOC encourages parolees to participate in the 2010 U.S. Census questionnaire
U.S. Census will help communities receive federal funding for programs, including reentry services
SPRINGFIELD - March 24, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is committed to promoting U.S. Census awareness regarding populations under its management and supervision.
Parolees are encouraged to participate in the 2010 U.S. Census questionnaire. More... |
 Feds complete review of Illinois prisons
Positive reaction for Pontiac, Dwight and Sheridan Correctional Centers
SPRINGFIELD - March 19, 2010 - The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) conducted an audit of security practices at Pontiac, Dwight and Sheridan Correctional Centers in Northern Illinois today. This security audit determines the extent to which policy, procedure, standards and practices combine to provide a safe and secure institutional environment. More... |
 Department of Justice agency completes review of Illinois prisons
Pinckneyville and Big Muddy River prisons commended for staff professionalism, knowledge and dedication
SPRINGFIELD – March 11, 2010 - The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) conducted an evaluation and security review today of the critical incident management system at Big Muddy River and Pinckneyville Correctional Centers in southern Illinois.
Critical incidents in the state's prison system can range from various crises including disturbances, escapes and natural disasters. During such an incident, it is important to manage the outcome by following specific protocols designed to contain, secure and deal with the incident in the prison setting. More... |
 IDOC holds ACA orientation training
SPRINGFIELD – Feb. 22, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Corrections held an American Correctional Association orientation training session for the department’s executive and administrative staff and wardens at the agency’s General Headquarters inSpringfield Feb. 22. The training session was hosted by IDOC’s Office of Performance Based Standards. ACA Executive Director James A. Gondles, ACA Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey A. Washington and IDOC Director Michael P. Randle addressed the audience. More... |
121 cadets graduate from IDOC training academy
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - February 11, 2010 - Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Michael P. Randle today announced the graduation of 121 correctional officer cadets, who completed a six-week, paramilitary training course at the agency's training academy in Springfield. More... |
Governor Quinn and Senator Durbin
Joint Statement on COGFA Vote
CHICAGO - January 6, 2010 - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today commended the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) for their 7-4 decision in favor of the closure of the Thomson Correctional Center. Senator Durbin and Governor Quinn issued the following statement:
"We are pleased the bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has endorsed the sale of the Thomson Correctional Center to the federal government and rejected the partisan rhetoric. More... |
Governor Quinn Names Chief Public Safety Officer For Illinois Department of Corrections
Law Enforcement Veteran Michael McCotter to Join State Agency
CHICAGO – January 6, 2010 - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Michael J. McCotter, a 37-year law enforcement veteran, has been named to the recently announced position of Chief Public Safety Officer at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). More... |
