Is Western Illinois on Lockdown? How to Check Before You Drive to Visit
Before making the long drive to Western Illinois Correctional Center, take two minutes to check whether the facility is on lockdown. A quick phone call can save you a wasted trip.
Call the statewide lockdown line at (877) 840-3220 to check whether any Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facilities are currently on lockdown. This is the fastest way to find out if Western Illinois Correctional Center is affected before you leave home.
For Western Illinois-specific questions - like whether a lockdown means special visiting restrictions - call the facility directly at (217) 773-4441. Need to fax paperwork? Use (217) 773-2202.
Even when a facility isn't fully locked down, visits can still be denied, suspended, or restricted. The Chief Administrative Officer at IDOC facilities can limit visiting for several reasons: security and safety requirements, space availability, disruptive conduct by the incarcerated person or visitor, abuse of visiting privileges, or violations of state or federal laws or departmental rules. If you're turned away, ask which category applies - it'll help you figure out what to address before trying again.
Trying to see more than one person? Plan carefully. IDOC's general rule: you can only visit one incarcerated individual at a time unless you have prior written approval from the Chief Administrative Officer.
Good news if you already have written visitation approval: it doesn't reset when someone transfers. Once you're granted written approval at any IDOC facility, it stays effective across all IDOC facilities for that person's current incarceration.
- Get the exact reason you were denied - Ask staff what specifically prevented the visit (for example, a restriction in place that day versus something you need to correct). If you need to follow up after you leave, call Western Illinois Correctional Center at (217) 773-4441.
- Ask what the next option is - Before you drive away, ask what you should do next to be able to visit (including when to try again). For follow-up questions you can’t resolve at the facility level, the IDOC Constituent Services Family Liaison is a point of contact families can use to address questions or concerns about an individual in custody.
Note: The Chief Administrative Officer has authority to deny, suspend, or restrict visits for security concerns, space limits, disruptive conduct, abuse of privileges, or rule violations. If you have unresolved questions, the IDOC Constituent Services Family Liaison can help you work through concerns with the department.
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