Illinois Department of Correction (IL DOC)

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) was established in 1970. During its creation, the agency combined administration of all state prisons, juvenile centers and adult and juvenile parole services under one direction for the first time. The creation of the training academy followed in 1974, which helped set the foundation of training the best staff possible for the agency's correctional facilities. On July 1, 2006, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice was formed, which separated the adult and juvenile corrections systems.

When IDOC originated, Illinois only operated seven adult facilities. Since that time, stricter laws have resulted in increased sentencing and longer terms. To address this steady increase in the inmate population, the agency today operates 25 adult correctional centers as well as boot camps, work camps and adult transition centers.

Safety is at the forefront of agency operations with an emphasis on frontline staff to protect and control inmates. A number of initiatives to ensure the safety of employees and inmates have yielded significant results. Security level designations, controlled line movement, inmate property boxes and increased monitoring of security threat groups have contributed to a more secure Illinois prison system.