Key facts about Illinois facilities and programs to check before you visit

Before making plans, confirm details for the exact facility your loved one is in. County websites and third-party summaries can be outdated. Madison County Government, for example, notes that its information may not be current or accurate and shouldn't be relied upon except by county staff. Rules also vary by facility. One jail states that no personal property of any kind is permitted to enter.

IDOC facility pages are a good starting point for basics like capacity, programs, and the facility's role. Logan Correctional Center lists an operational capacity of 1,397 beds and notes it opened in January 1978. The page also covers academic programming (ABE, advanced ABE, ASE/GED) and explains that Logan is the parent institution for the Logan Reception Classification Center. At the county level, sheriff's offices often describe their custody responsibilities. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department, for example, states it is responsible for the professional care and custody of those confined in its jail.