Springfield – In a bipartisan effort to address growing concerns about mental‑health care behind bars, Illinois lawmakers pressed the Department of Corrections (IDOC) on Tuesday to improve services, increase clinical staffing and upgrade safety infrastructure at state facilities.

Legislators cite alarming reports

Recent investigative reporting by the Marshall Project, WBEZ and the Chicago Sun‑Times highlighted physical and psychological abuse at the Joliet Treatment Center, prompting inmates to set fires in desperation. Lawmakers used those findings to demand concrete action from IDOC officials.

IDOC acknowledges challenges

IDOC Director Latoya Hughes told the committee that correctional facilities were never intended to serve as long‑term behavioral health centers. “Even with dedicated staff and resources, the correctional environment cannot fully replace a community‑based system of care,” she said.

Hughes noted that the department houses roughly 30,000 individuals, with almost half on the mental‑health caseload and just over 1,000 classified as seriously mentally ill. She emphasized that all people in custody are evaluated within 24 hours of intake, and those needing further assessment receive a psychiatric referral within 14 days, according to IDOC Mental Health Chief Dr. Kenya Key.

Calls for staffing and safety upgrades

Sheena McClain, an IDOC Correctional Treatment Officer Supervisor and member of AFSCME, urged the agency to “invest in hiring and competitive wages for clinical and medical staff, and make much‑needed life‑safety upgrades, including installing fire sprinklers.” She argued that without these steps, the department cannot adequately protect staff or those in custody.

Lawmakers also pointed to residential treatment units at the Dixon, Logan and Pontiac Correctional Centers, urging that every IDOC facility provide comparable mental‑health services to meet demand.

Legislative response

State senators and representatives pledged to monitor IDOC’s progress and consider legislation that would allocate additional funding for mental‑health programs, staff recruitment and facility upgrades. They stressed that improving care aligns with broader public‑safety goals and supports families affected by incarceration.

“When we fail to address mental‑health needs in our prisons, we jeopardize the safety of correctional staff, the well‑being of inmates, and the security of our communities,” one legislator said.

Looking ahead

The committee plans to hold follow‑up hearings later this year to assess IDOC’s implementation of the proposed measures. Advocates hope that heightened oversight will lead to a more humane, effective correctional system that respects the dignity of every individual while safeguarding public safety.

Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.