Want to learn what we heard from people inside IDOC when they responded to our “Measuring the Quality of Prison Life” surveys?
Scroll down to find our most recent reports and statements
Want to learn what we heard from people inside IDOC when they responded to our “Measuring the Quality of Prison Life” surveys?
Scroll down to find our most recent reports and statements
Our Mission: JHA monitors prisons and advances independent oversight of carceral systems to promote humane treatment and increased transparency.
Our Vision: As long as there are prisons, we aspire to have a system that is equitable, reduces harm, and respects people’s humanity.
Illinois has one of the most overcrowded, understaffed and underfunded prison systems in the U.S. We believe that people who are incarcerated should be treated humanely and with dignity and respect.
For more than 120 years, the John Howard Association has served as Illinois' only independent citizen correctional oversight organization. We uncover problems large and small in our correctional facilities and advocate for reforms that lead to meaningful change for prisoners and their families. System-wide reform leads to more successful correctional outcomes for our communities, and better use of limited resources and taxpayer funds.
Summary
Today’s announcement by Governor Pritzker to shutter Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers in order to rebuild them recognizes that these prisons are decrepit, unsafe, and inhumane. However, this announcement does not address the fact that the Illinois prisons are currently well under capacity, with close to 12,000 excess prison beds throughout the system; we can and should also permanently close some of our worst prisons. (March 15, 2024)
~accord
Summary
Opened in March 1925, Stateville is one of IDOC’s oldest operational prisons and has long experienced numerous, persistent physical plant concerns with the highest deferred maintenance estimated costs. JHA visited Stateville on February 22, 2024.
~accord
Summary
In 2023, JHA visited Western Illinois Correctional Center (Western). Notably, Western appeared to have some of the most negative and concerning responses reported in our IDOC-wide Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys, meriting serious review and response. In particular, this prison continued to have significant unease regarding racism and lack of staff accountability.
~accord
Summary
When JHA visited Decatur on March 19, 2024, the population was 261, which was down from 401 at the time of JHA’s previous visit in October 2022. The visit occurred in the wake of Governor Pritzker’s March 15, 2024 announcement of plans to close Logan (IDOC’s only other women’s prison) and to build a new women’s prison in Will County within three to five years of the March 2024 announcement.
~accord
Every donation matters. We rely on the generosity of individual, corporate and foundation donors committed to criminal justice system reform. With your support, we will continue to promote prison reform, seeking a fair, effective and humane criminal justice system in Illinois. Thank you!
Sign up for updates to be the first to hear about new reports, events and other news.
A new lawsuit alleges that across 2 decades, 95 people were abused by state employees while they were in the custody of juvenile detention centers in Illinois.
Joining us on the 21st is the Executive Director of the John Howard Association, which is an independent monitor that visits and reports on Illinois prisons. We'll discuss measures taken to address these issues revolving around sexual assault, why juvenile detention centers still exist in 2024, and look at how prisons are now under capacity in Illinois, compared to around a decade ago when they were overcrowded. (Illinois Public Radio)
Advocates praising a fresh plan to demolish then rebuild a pair of aging Illinois prisons are nonetheless raising questions about its long-term sense. In a plan unveiled Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed spending $900 million over the next five years to knock down Stateville Correctional Center, a maximum-security men’s facility just outside of Joliet, and the women’s Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, located 30 miles north of Springfield. (WTTW)
Mike Stephen explores the quality of life in Illinois prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the executive director of the John Howard Association, talks with Illinois Humanities executive director Gabrielle Lyon about the new initiative called The Big Read, and chats with local musician Jared Rabin about his new music. (WGN Radio)