Our Impact

In 2022-2023, JHA conducted our second system-wide survey in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) using an adapted Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) survey. Today we are excited to share our MQPL Survey Dashboard built by our partners at the Loyola Chicago Center for Criminal Justice. (August 8, 2024)

John Howard Association Testimony on Proposal to Close and Rebuild Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers given to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (May 10, 2024)

John Howard Association Testimony on the Illinois Department of Corrections FY25 Proposed Budget given to the Illinois State Senate Appropriations - Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee (April 17, 2024)

On April 15, 2024 the Coalition to Decarcerate Illinois (of which JHA is a part) gathered outside of the Environmental Protection Agency to hold a press conference and deliver a legal petition to address the critical issue of unsafe drinking water and aging infrastructure that incarcerated community members have been forced to deal with for the past decades.

John Howard Association Testimony on the Illinois Department of Corrections FY25 Proposed Budget given to the Illinois House of Representatives Appropriations—Public Safety Committee (March 20, 2024)

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)

John Howard Association Testimony on the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice FY25 Proposed Budget to the Illinois House of Representatives Appropriations—Public Safety Committee (March 13, 2024)

Throughout 2023 JHA received reports from people incarcerated in IDOC about lack of out-of-cell time and excessive lockdowns, which they in part attribute to low staffing levels. The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) reports they continue to struggle with high levels of staff vacancies; in July, they reported nearly a third of correctional officer positions were vacant. These numbers have real consequences that make living and working inside of prisons more difficult and less safe for everyone. (Jan. 24, 2024)

The Correctional Association of New York, John Howard Association, and Pennsylvania Prison Society applaud the first steps of Arizona Oversight Commission and echo the call for more resources to realize and sustain critical oversight. The Commission sought support From IL, NY & PA Prison Oversight Organizations (January 16, 2024)

The program announced today by Secretary of State Giannoulias and Sheriff Dart is an important advancement - we commend them for creating a program that will get more state IDs into the hands of people who need this assistance in order to move forward productively. (December 11, 2023)