Ernesto Velasco named director of IDOC
Ernesto Velasco, former director of Cook County Jail,
has been named director of the Illinois Department of Corrections by
Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich. The governor made the announcement Feb. 4.
Velasco will assume his position at IDOC Feb. 24.
Velasco began his career with the Cook County Sheriff's office in 1972
and rose through the ranks. He joined as a correctional officer and
became a correctional sergeant in 1978, a lieutenant in 1980, a captain
in 1984, chief in 1985 and superintendent in 1989.
In 1994, he became assistant executive director for programs
and special units. He was named director of Cook County Jail in 1996,
overseeing a staff of 3,000 and an inmate population of more than 11,000.
During his tenure at the jail, the facility received exemplary
ratings. The facility received a score of 98 percent on non-mandatory
standards and perfect 100 percent on mandatory ratings through the American
Correctional Association.
While serving at Cook County Jail, Velasco supported the Life Learning
Program that provides detainees with job skills, assistance with emotional
and personal problems as well as reading and writing skills.
He completed management courses from Northwestern's Kellogg
School of Management, through the U.S. Dept. of Justice, and John Marshall
Law School.
"I am proud to have known and worked with Mr. Velasco for many
years," said Director Donald N. Snyder Jr. "He is a respected
veteran in the correctional field and his years of experience will carry
the next chapter of our agency with a sense of purpose, dedication and
professionalism. Please stay focused in your area of responsibility
during the agency's new transition as we welcome and support Mr. Velasco
as its new director."
Move completed for death row inmates
The moving of death row inmates into general population
was complete Feb. 7. Record Office personnel completed 157 commutations
to accommodate the move. Inmates were moved into general population
at Stateville, Menard and Dwight. Inmates who were serving in segregation
will remain on that status until time is served. Some inmates also are
being housed in protective custody.
On Jan. 11, 2003, former Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of
167 inmates who were sentenced to death. He also pardoned four inmates
who were sentenced to death.
Graham Correctional Center supports needs of Community
Library
The Building and Trades staff and inmates at Graham Correctional
Center recently built 12 paperback bookshelves for the Community Library
in Coffeen.
"We appreciate Graham Correctional Center for helping us grow further,"
the library's board noted. "We have more than 8,000 volumes on
our shelves and were running out of room."
