Lawmakers seek solution for ‘culture of dishonesty’ within Illinois corrections
(The Center Square) – With years of safety complaints and incidents within the Illinois Department of Corrections, especially stemming from the Joliet Treatment Center, Illinois lawmakers Tuesday sought answers for how the department intends to improve conditions for inmates. More than 70 fires have been started over the last three years at the center – a low-population facility IDOC describes as a prison for “convicted adult male felons with severe mental illness.” Among the fires were eight cases of prisoners intentionally setting themselves on fire, leading to the death of two inmates according to state records. The Joliet facility costs taxpayers at least $336,699 per inmate each year, according to the state’s 2025 budget, and lawmakers questioned how the department could improve operations. IDOC Acting Director Latoya Hughes and other top IDOC officials faced a joint committee. She said the department is working to improve conditions in Joliet by hiring a new employee for fire safety and a new chief of mental health. “Correctional facilities were never designed to serve as long-term behavioral health centers. Even with dedicated staff and resources,” Hughes said. ”The safety and well-being of those in our care as well as our staff and visitors remains
