LINCOLN, Ill. (WAND) — The Chicago Alliance (CAARPR) announced that the organization has been receiving complaints from inmates and their families about the lack of hot water at Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.
CAARPR said that the group contacted the warden, who confirmed that the facility was in the process of repairing a boiler. The warden said, on occasion, that the boiler had to be turned off for short periods of time, but that staff were monitoring temperatures regularly.
The organization said that calls have continued to come in from inmates that the water was "room temperature at best." CAARPR said other Illinois Department of Corrections watchdog groups have received similar complaints.
“It’s an atrocity that in such dangerous temperatures, some inmates at Logan Correctional Facility are not getting any hot water,” said Jasmine Smith, co-chair of CAARPR. “We demand answers and action, and we won’t stop making calls to the governor or the prison until this situation is resolved.”
The IDOC told WAND that they have acknowledged the public concerns regarding heat and hot water at Logan Correctional Center.
According to the IDOC, last week, the facility had issues with one of its boilers which impacted the overall ability of the boiler system to function at full capacity.
The boiler was temporarily taken out of service for safety while repairs were made to the power plant.
The Capital Development Board (CDB) assisted IDOC with emergency measures and installed two temporary hot water heaters, which are operational. The department said it's working with CDB to find a more permanent solution.
A memo was sent to those at Logan to let them know about the water fluctuations, according to IDOC.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
