Communications Issues Update

This report is intended to bring renewed and increased attention to the problems faced by people within IDOC with respect to communications. Importantly, as other jurisdictions consider legislative fixes for jail and prison phone rates and communication issues, we recommend examining planning failures and frustrations that persist within Illinois prisons so that the issues behind them can be remedied. At the same time, we recognize and appreciate that progress has been made, in that Illinois now has one of the lowest custodial calling rates in the nation and increased accessibility. However, while cost is a critical factor, it is just one of multiple barriers that can impede prisoners’ access to outside communications. (2019)