NCJ Number
244765
Date Published
November 2011
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report presents an assessment of the work of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice for the year 2011.
Abstract
This report presents an assessment of the work of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), including reform efforts aimed at improving problem areas within the Department, for the year 2011. Key findings from the assessment are divided into three areas: system-wide, facility specific, and reentry. The assessment found that system-wide, vacancies in facility administration positions has led to serious gaps in oversight and accountability, youth do not take full advantage of the grievance process due to a lack of trust with the system, the education system within the department has many serious problems that impede youth's ability to succeed in the community, and maintenance of proper staffing levels continues to be a problem for IDJJ. The facility-specific findings deal with the IYC (Individual Youth Center) St. Charles, the IYC-Pere Marquette, and the IYC-Kewanee. The key findings relating to reentry suggest that facilities are making greater efforts to involve family members in the treatment of youth, and that the department is taking advantage of the shared services legislation to gain more services and resources for youth who have been released from the system. The report also highlights areas within IDJJ that need improvement.