November 30, 2002
The 2001 Statistical Presentation is published by the Illinois Department
of Corrections pursuant to Chapter 730, Illinois Compiled Statutes,
5/5-5-4.3. This document provides insights regarding the types of offenders
sentenced to the Department. Most of the data summarize sentencing and
length of stay trends over the last ten years to identify factors contributing
to the expanding prison population.
At the end of calendar year 2001, the adult prison population was 28.3%
over rated capacity, totaling 44,348 inmates in a correctional system
designed to hold 34,575. Another 28,797 offenders were on Mandatory
Supervised Release. Despite a 2.1% decline in 2001, the prison population
has grown from 31,640 in 1992, an increase of more than 40%. Much of
this prison population growth is attributed to longer prison terms due
to the enactment of stricter laws, many written to increase the penalties
for drugs and weapons violations.
To address the historical increase in the inmate population, the Department
currently operates 26 adult correctional centers, eight Adult Transition
Centers, eight juvenile facilities, and 26 parole offices. New technologies
from surveillance networks through biometric capabilities provide for
safer and more efficient operations. The Department also continues to
develop management standards intended to hold staff more accountable
for statewide supervision of inmates within correctional facilities
and offenders released to the community.
Recently, the Department has experienced a prison population decline
attributed to increased admissions sentenced from court among the lower
Classes of offenses. These offenders typically have short lengths of
stay, resulting in a faster movement flow of inmates through the system.
Overall, the prolonged declines in Illinois crime rates have affected
the movement flow of the serious violent offenders. As the effects of
long-term sentencing enhancements enacted during the late 1990s take
hold, the prison population will begin to increase again during the
next several years.
Sincerely,
Donald N. Snyder, Jr.
Director
