Stateville Correctional Center: An Inside Look

Published August 1, 2023

Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum-security state prison for men situated in Crest Hill, Illinois, United States. This penitentiary is a part of the Illinois Department of Corrections. It is one of the state’s largest and oldest correctional facilities. If you’re curious about this famed penitentiary, keep on reading. This “Inside Look” will educate you about everything you need to know about Stateville. Let’s start. 

Stateville Correctional Center 

Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum-security adult custodial institution. The lock-up has three living units for the general inmate population. It has a 32-bed sanatorium in its health care center. 

The prison was built in 1925. It sits on a 2264-acre land featuring a 33-foot wall surrounded by guard towers. The Stateville Correctional Center holds 2,256 inmates. 1,091 in the correctional center, and 1031 in the Northern Reception and Classification Center. Finally, 134 are in the maximum security facility.

Inmate Search for Stateville Correctional Center

The institution that is accountable for overseeing the functions of Stateville Correctional Center is the Illinois Department of Corrections. It runs a special custody search locator for the penitentiary. The individuals in the custody search system handle prisoner search by last name and birthdate. Alongside their distinct IDOC number. 

The data on the website is accessible. Both for private organizations and the general public. If you’d like an inmate search, you can visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Then use the inmate’s name or BOP register name. If you’d like further details, you can reach the Department of Corrections at 217-558-2200.

Securities and Facilities of Stateville Correctional Center 

Stateville Correctional Center was designed by architects Holabird and Root. These are known for their innovative designs for public buildings. The prison was built using a radial design. It has an armed tower in the middle and cell blocks branching outwards. Stateville Correctional Center is meant to lock 1,252 inmates, with each cell measuring 5 feet by 7 feet. 

Moreover, the prison implemented the Panopticon Concept. The idea behind the concept was to craft a prison that was efficient, cost-effective, and benevolent. The design involves placing the guard tower at the center, with cells standing in a circular pattern around it. This allows guards to observe the inmates at all times. The detainees could not see the guards. The security level of the prison is very high. All inmates are closely supervised by correctional officers. 

Living Conditions for Inmates of Stateville Correctional Center 

Inside Stateville Correctional Center, detainees spend most of their day confined to their cells. The cells are sparsely furnished. They have a bed, a small desk, and a toilet. Personal belongings are limited to only essential goods, and personal space is narrow.

Programs and Rehabilitation in Stateville Correctional Center

Stateville, despite being a maximum security prison, offers great programs and rehabilitation activities for its inmates. Access to these programs may depend on the detainees’ behavior. It may also be based on the nature of their offenses. The programs cultivate positive attitudes and promotion of opportunities for personal and professional development. They are designed to support individuals in custody and craft the skills and knowledge they need to successfully rejoin their communities upon release. 

1. Educational Programs 

The Illinois Department of Corrections renders a variety of academic and vocational educational programs to inmates of this maximum security prison. They have basic adult education and GED preparation. Vocational skills training are carpentry, welding, and computer technology. 

2. Vocational Skills 

The Vocational Skills Training Programs in Stateville help inmates craft skills. Skills that can help them succeed in the workforce. Aside from the ones mentioned above. They can be an expert in mechanics, culinary arts as well as horticulture. 

3. Adult Basic Education 

The Adult Basic Education programs in the detention center provide detainees with opportunities to improve their reading and writing. Math skills can be enhanced too. They are designed to support inmates preparing for the GED exam. They improve their chances of success upon release.

4. Volunteer Services 

Volunteer services give inmates the avenue to give back to their communities. These programs help prisoners cultivate positive attitudes. They can also help them foster a sense of community. Finally, responsibility.  

5. Creative Art 

Creative art programs at Stateville Correctional Center give inmates opportunities for self-expression. They are an outlet for creativity. A space to hone a passion for visual arts, music, and writing. 

6. Choir 

The choir program on the other hand provides opportunities for detainees to join a musical group. The choir performs at various events throughout the year. The prisoners can gain teamwork and leadership skills because of this. 

7. Bible Studies 

Religious programs are also being held in the prison. They provide inmates with the chance to take part in Bible studies. They help form a sense of spirituality and community.

8.Library 

Finally, the library offers inmates access to a wide range of reading materials. A lot of books, magazines, and newspapers are present in the facility. Prisoners can also join reading and writing events to improve their literacy skills. 

Maximum-Security, Minimum-Security, and Protective Custody 

The maximum-security unit at Stateville Correctional Center is built to store inmates that are at a dangerous risk. To staff, other inmates, and the general public. These inmates are housed in single cells. They have limited movement outside their space. They are subject to strict regulations and monitored diligently by guards. 

The minimum-security unit is for those inmates that have a lower risk. To staff, other inmates, and the general public. Inmates in these units are housed in dormitory-style housing units. They have more freedom of movement, as compared to prisoners of a maximum-security unit. 

Protective custody refers to the custody level made to defend inmates who may be at risk of harm from other prisoners. These inmates are housed separately from the general population. They also have limited contact with other inmates.

Visitation Regulations, Sending a Mail/Package and Sending Money 

Stateville Correctional Center permits visitors during designated visitation hours. Visitation is crucial for inmates’ rehabilitation process. The prison encourages detainees to keep in contact with their loved ones. Visitors must adhere to strict rules and regulations when paying a visit. These include dress codes and identification requirements. 

Visitation hours are every day. The schedules are 8:00 am to 10:30 am, 10:45 am to 1:15 pm, 1:30 to 4:00 pm, and 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. 

Statevill supports sending mail to inmates. It allows no limitations on how much mail you can send. However, you must ensure accurate mail types and formats to the right jail mailing address. You need the inmate’s ID number and name for the mail to be rightly delivered.

 For legitimacy, the detention center’s mail address is: Stateville Correctional Center P.O. Box 112 Joliet, IL 60434

Stateville Correctional Center renders necessities to its inmates. However, they must buy from the jail commissary for their respective essentials. They can buy games, shoes, hygiene products, writing supplies, socks, and underwear. Inmates are not allowed to have solid cash, instead, they use commissary accounts. The correctional center permits sending money to prison. This is done via lockbox, electronic funds transfer, mailing a check, and money order. 

Stateville Correctional Center Famous Inmates 

There many notable inmates at Stateville Correctional Center, they are: 

• John Wayne Gacy. He is a serial killer and a rapist. Wayne is condemned of the murders and rape of 33 boys and young men in 1980. He is transferred from Menard Correctional Center to Stateville Correctional Center for the death penalty by lethal injection. This took place on May 9, 1994. 
• Jordan Hill. He is one of the four participants in the 2017 Chicago Torture Incident. It involves the torment of a mentally disabled man that was caught on Facebook live. 
• Richard Speck. He is guilty of murdering eight women. He was convicted April 15, 1967. He has interview tapes with FBI agents and was documented in the Netflix series, Mindhunter.