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 twenty-eight (28) correctional facilities, two (2) Adult Transition 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 (2) 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 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 Southwester IL.  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 fostering partnerships with community providers and individuals as they prepare for re-entry. Community programming relationships are vital to the success of those individuals who are reintegrating into society.  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 educational opportunities for students within the 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 recognizes that education is vital to the reduction of recidivism and creates opportunities for individuals in custody to better themselves.   

All the individuals, committed to IDOC for two (2) or more years, with exception of those serving a life sentence, take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to determine their academic level.  Students are placed in academic, career, and technical education (CTE) programming based upon their TABE scores.

• Adult Basic Education (ABE) is mandatory for all individuals in custody scoring below a 6.0 on the TABE.  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, in order to enroll in the Adult Secondary Education (ASE) 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 the 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 the TABE and who do not already possess a GED or High School Diploma.
• OAEVS received its first mobile welding trailer in June of 2024.  During fiscal year 2025, the Department worked to print the program to full functionality.  In early fiscal year 2026, the mobile welding trailer was completely outfitted and will soon become fully operational.
• OAEVS worked closely with the IL Department of Professional Regulations to ensure that individuals in custody, who completed the Barbering/Cosmetology Programs, would receive a professional license.  There are currently four (4) IDOC facilities offering the Barbering/Cosmetology programs.
• During fiscal year 2025, OAEVS introduced plans for a new Carpentry Program, which was to be implemented during fiscal year 2026.  The Department is completing the final procurements to ensure this program is operational before the end of fiscal year 2026.