“‘I Call It Pretend Freedom’: Older Adults Coming Out of Illinois Prisons Face Steep Roadblocks in Their Reentry Journey”
This reporting from InjusticeWatch examines issues facing older adults who are or have been incarcerated across the country. “Before he was released from prison, Bob Covelli told everyone he knew the three things he wanted most once he got out: a job, an apartment, and a kitten. “I’m less anxious, and I’m less angry when […]
Indiana DOC lawsuit: Mentally ill Black inmates are majority in segregation
This piece from NPR illustrates the intersection of racism, criminal justice, and mental illness that leads to medical incarceration. “Black inmates who need mental health care spend more time in segregation and far less time with counselors than their white counterparts in Illinois prisons, according to a new complaint filed in federal court seeking better […]
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice hosts states working toward juvenile justice reform
“IDJJ is hosting cohorts of juvenile justice administrators and practitioners from other states because of its designation as a National Promising Practice site. The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown, the Center for Children’s Law & Policy, and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators have formed a collaborative to reduce the use of isolation and promote best practices […]
A Proposal for a Mental Health Service Provider in Illinois
(Illinois) The Illinois House of Representatives passed a proposal to create an emergency 9-8-8 call provider that will provide mental health professionals that can treat people experiencing mental health crises instead of standard police. The proposal will be sent to the Senate to be voted on. Sponsors are saying this change is needed to make […]
Crisis Response Team, an Alternative to Police for Mental Health Emergencies
(Chicago, IL) The “Treatment for Trauma” proposal focuses on alternatives to policing for those with mental health emergencies. In Chicago the police exclusively deals with these emergencies and as a result, “the largest mental health provider in this city is Cook County Jail.” “The crisis response team would be staffed by paramedics and social workers […]