Public Accountability Report

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is committed to providing care, custody, treatment and rehabilitation for adult individuals in custody, as directed by the courts.  Operating 29 correctional centers and managing a parole system for formerly incarcerated individuals, IDOC is supported by the Adult Advisory Board and the Sub-Committee on Women Individuals.  IDOC maintains two rapid re-entry centers to offer intensive programming for individuals nearing release and continues to support community-based re-entry programs, which aid in successful societal reintegration by providing job training and other essential skills.  IDOC is also continuing with the significant overhaul of its information technology infrastructure.  When completed, this initiative will modernize the IDOC system and enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

IDOC partners with community-based programming and Universities to provide comprehensive addiction treatment services to those individuals identified for drug treatment programs.  The Addiction Management Recovery Management Services Unit (ARMSU) provides extensive training, clinical supervision, monitors all substance abuse programs within the department and serves as liaison with other community and state agencies.  Individuals identified for treatment are referred to one of the agency’s two treatment-specific facilities, Sheridan and Southwestern.  These facilities are utilizing a Therapeutic Community model to provide a diverse curriculum, which includes life-skills training, individual assessments, individual and group counseling, domestic violence awareness, family reunification, trauma-informed care, parenting skills, and aftercare.  These programs provide intense prison-based drug treatment programs, vocational training, job preparation, and mental health services.  The programming also focuses on the linkage of services and referrals, upon release, to community providers and resources.  IDOC is working closely with mental health teams and is currently developing policies, procedures, administrative directives, and best practices as we move forward in providing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.  These medication-assisted treatments are being used both within the facility and upon release.

The Office of Adult Education and Vocational Services (OAEVS) aims to enhance the quality and scope of education for students within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) by ensuring that state and federal resources are appropriately used in aiding committed persons to restore themselves and become constructive, law-abiding citizens upon release.  IDOC knows that education is vital to reducing recidivism and creates opportunities for individuals in custody to better themselves. 

All individuals, committed to IDOC for two or more years, with the exception of those serving life sentences, take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to determine their academic level.  Students are placed in academic and career and technical education (CTE) programming based on their TABE test score.

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) is mandatory for all individuals in custody scoring below 6.0 on the TABE test.  Mandatory ABE students must attend a minimum of 90 days of instruction.  This curriculum provides basic instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and life skills. 
• Advanced Adult Basic Education (Adv ABE) is a class offered to those needing an academic boost to enroll in the Adult Secondary Education class.  This is a voluntary course for students with TABE scores ranging from 6.0 to 8.0. 
• Adult Secondary Education (ASE), formally known as GED and High School Equivalency (HSE), is a voluntary education class available to all individuals in custody who score an 8.0 or higher on a TABE test who do not possess a High School Diploma. 
• OAEVS recently received delivery of IDOC’s first mobile welding classrooms in June of 2024.  IDOC plans to have these fully operational during FY25.
• OAEVS is working to grow programs with the Department of Labor, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and local Community Colleges.  These programs include apprenticeships, landscaping, conservation project and work programs, for individuals in custody.  These programs are designed to provide skills and performance recognition opportunities for participants.
• OAEVS has been working closely with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations to get individuals in custody professional license for Barbering and/or Cosmetology.   These programs are currently offered at four of IDOC's Facilities.