SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – State lawmakers want to improve access to mental healthcare in prisons following concerning reports about the lack of care in a suburban facility. However, prison staff and advocates have long called for significant improvements.
The Marshall Project, WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times reported in July that men in the Joliet Treatment Center suffered from physical and psychological abuse, leading prisoners to set fires in desperation.
Leaders from the Illinois Department of Corrections told lawmakers Tuesday that they are committed to ensuring the safety and security of staff, people in custody, and all other people who enter Illinois prisons.
“Correctional facilities were never designed to serve as long-term behavioral health centers,” said IDOC Director Latoya Hughes. “Even with dedicated staff and resources, the correctional environment cannot fully replace a community-based system of care.”
Hughes said there are 30,000 people in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and almost half of them are on the mental health caseload. Just over 1,000 Illinois prisoners are considered to be seriously mentally ill.
IDOC officials said people in general population have access to individual and group care, while prisoners needing more attention are in residential treatment units.
“All individuals in custody are evaluated within 24 hours of coming into custody,” said IDOC Mental Health Chief Dr. Kenya Key. “At that time, a determination is made as to what the next steps might be. If they are referred for a more in-depth assessment and a referral to psychiatry, that is done within 14 days.”
Staff at the Joliet Treatment Center and prisons across the state said the department often fails to think through how they can provide proper care. AFSCME members said IDOC has ignored feedback from employees to the detriment of the workforce and people in custody.
“To right this ship, the Department of Corrections needs to invest in hiring and competitive wages for clinical and medical staff, and make much-needed life safety upgrades, including installing fire sprinklers,” said IDOC Correctional Treatment Officer Supervisor Sheena McClain.
There are residential treatment units at the Dixon, Logan and Pontiac Correctional Centers. Lawmakers said every IDOC facility should provide adequate mental health services to meet the demand.
