Illinois bill could create independent oversight of state prisons

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – Illinois could soon have an independent office responsible for investigating issues within the state’s prisons. A plan in Springfield could create a corrections ombudsperson to monitor and inspect facilities, investigate unresolved complaints and establish a uniform reporting system.

Lawmakers and advocates say it is past time Illinois had more transparency and accountability surrounding response to complaints from people in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

“Not only is there not a dedicated oversight body that has a mandate and authority, and frankly the resources and capacity to do the kind of inspection and provide the kind of oversight and ombuds work that’s needed, we also don’t allow for routine public inspections that happen all the time in the outside world,” said John Howard Association Executive Director Jennifer Vollen-Katz.

Advocates like Byron Merriweather from the Restore Justice Foundation said a corrections ombudsperson would be critical to truly understand how people are treated behind closed doors.

“During my incarceration, I witnessed correctional officers use excessive force against people who are incarcerated and deny individuals basic necessities such as food, clothes, and personal hygiene,” Merriweather said.

IDOC Director Latoya Hughes said oversight is important, but she believes an additional oversight body is unnecessary. Hughes said the agency is subject to review by internal investigators, the courts, and federal guidelines.

“The Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General has independent authority to investigate allegations of misconduct, abuse, fraud, violations of state ethics, and waste,” Hughes said. “Criminal allegations involving staff or individuals in custody are often investigated by the Illinois State Police.”

House Bill 1643 passed out of the House Restorative Justice and Public Safety Committee on a 6-4 vote in March, but the plan never received a floor vote. Sponsors hope to see the plan move during the veto or lame-duck session.