The illinois department of corrections (IDOC) maintains custody of approximately 30,000 individuals in custody in 27 correctional facilities and four adult transition centers (ATCS) for a total of…

This $126,246 Formula Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.738 - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program) supports the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) in enhancing security and implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) at its 31 correctional facilities. The funding will be used to develop a centralized PREA database to track allegations of sexual abuse and harassment, and to make technology upgrades, such as expanding security camera systems, to deter and investigate sexual abuse. The grant is administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), a state planning commission that serves as a critical interface between state criminal justice agencies and federal funding sources. The award period is from November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026.

The illinois department of corrections (IDOC) maintains custody of approximately 30,000 individuals in custody in 27 correctional facilities and four adult transition centers (ATCS) for a total of 31 facilities. Safety is at the forefront of agency operations with an emphasis on frontline staff to protect and control individuals in custody. Several initiatives to ensure the safety of employees and individuals in custody have yielded significant results. Security level designations, controlled line movement, individual in custody property boxes and increased monitoring of security threat groups have contributed to a more secure illinois prison system. Since the full implementation of the final rule of the prison rape elimination act (PREA) in 2012, IDOC has developed policies and procedures and implemented training and education for both staff and individuals in custody to establish a zero-tolerance culture for sexual abuse and harassment in its correctional facilities. The state of illinois cannot certify that IDOC correctional facilities are in full compliance with PREA standards. With the FFY22 and FFY23 prison rape elimination act (PREA) award IDOC identified a need for a centralized PREA database to accurately track allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The database will integrate the department to ensure the management of the PREA investigations and reporting requirements. To ensure deadlines are met, the database will provide alerts and notifications for time-sensitive processes of the PREA protocol such has investigation, contact with medical and or mental health, retaliation monitoring, risk screening, etc. The department will continue to make upgrades to the technology IT utilizes in its correctional facilities to deter and investigate sexual abuse. This will be done through our IDOC state-wide security camera contract; and utilizing PREA grant funding, when available. At this time, IT is not known how IDOC will utilize the FFY24 PREA funds as IT began using the FFY22 and FFY23 funds on october 1, 2024. The department is currently analyzing its needs to determine how the FFY24 funds will have the greatest impact to becoming compliant. Once this need is known, the illinois criminal justice information authority (ICJIA) will initiate a change of scope grant modification to seek approval on the identified IDOC use of the FFY24 award.