Crime & Law
Most Men at Stateville Prison Have Been Transferred Following Judge’s Order
Stateville Correctional Center is pictured in a file photo. (Andrew Campbell / Capitol News Illinois)
All men incarcerated in the general housing units of Stateville Correctional Center have been transferred to other facilities as of Friday, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The moves come after a federal judge ordered that most people incarcerated at the Crest Hill prison must be transferred by Sept. 30. Judge Andrea R. Wood wrote that the court found a probable risk of irreparable harm from falling concrete attributed to the deteriorated masonry walls, ceilings, steel beams and window lintels at Stateville.
Those housed in Stateville’s Health Care Unit do not need to be transferred, according to that order, as it’s a separate housing building that “does not exhibit the risks of falling concrete that exists in the general housing units.”
As of Friday, there were 24 people housed in that unit, according to IDOC.
The transfers out of Stateville are part of the state’s efforts to close — and eventually rebuild — the prison, along with the Logan Correctional Center that houses women. The rebuilds could take about five years. The state allocated $900 million for the rebuild of the two prisons in the 2025 budget.
What remains in limbo is the future of workers after Stateville fully closes.
AFSCME Council 31, which represents most workers within IDOC, and management are meeting Monday to continue impact bargaining.
“Our priority continues to be ensuring permanent alternative employment options, nearby, and at no loss of pay, for every affected employee,” Anders Lindall, spokesperson with AFSCME Council 31, said in a statement.
He said the state has claimed it will offer plenty of vacancies, but they “have yet to see that plan in writing.”
IDOC spokesperson Naomi Puzzello said Stateville’s security staff will be assigned to the Northern Reception and Classification Center and Minimum Security Units, except for the staff who will continue to provide security in the Health Care Unit, visiting room, visiting center and main gate.
The majority of non-security staff have duties that are inclusive to all departments/units within Stateville, she added, and all staff will continue assigned duties until impact bargaining has concluded.
Illinois is closing and rebuilding the nearly 100-year-old prison after the state commissioned a report that found the facility is “not suitable for any 21st century correctional center.”
In June, Michael Broadway, incarcerated at the prison, died due to bronchial asthma with heat stress as a “significant contributing condition.” Men inside attest to stifling heat, nailed-shut windows, concrete falling from ceilings and water leaking during rains.
Robert Cloutier, now incarcerated at Sheridan Correctional Center, was incarcerated at Stateville for about 19 years. He wrote to WTTW News that Stateville has “had a horrible reputation for years.”
“When I first came to Stateville the story was: You have nothing coming, but they leave you alone,” Cloutier said. “Now you have nothing coming but you are supposed to be in compliance. Basically, we can’t or won’t provide you any of your privileges that you would get automatically anywhere else but make sure that inmates follow the rules.”