John Howard Association of Illinois

09/14/2026

JHA welcomes Kriya Patel (she/her) to our Young Professionals Board!

Kriya is currently a HRSA T32 Primary care Investigators Training in Chronic disease & Health disparities (PITCH) fellow at the University of Chicago. She is an aspiring health services and outcomes researcher, board-certified in internal medicine, who studies health and incarceration with an emphasis on chronic health conditions, substance use, and healthcare access. Much of her research has focused on improving reentry continuity of healthcare especially for addiction medication.

We look forward to working with you, Kriya!

09/10/2026

NEW MONITORING REPORT! Minimum-security Lincoln is designated within IDOC as a “Rapid Reentry” prison, housing mostly individuals who have outdates within 18 months with a reported average length of stay of nine months. Even with this specific facility focus, Lincoln struggles to provide needed programming and reentry planning for the people inside. Read report here:https://bit.ly/Lincoln25

09/10/2026

NEW MONITORING REPORT! Medium-security IDOC prison Danville continued to benefit from higher educational opportunities and use of peer-led programming. However, JHA and people at Danville continued to have significant concern regarding lack of cameras. Full report here: https://bit.ly/Danville25

09/09/2026

"Prosecutors also noted that drug-soaked papers have continued to slip into facilities despite increased mail screening protocols and the use of narcotics-trained dogs."

Evidence demonstrates that mail is not how the vast majority of contraband gets in; reliance on mail scanning is not effective at keeping drugs out of jails and prisons. It is yet another harmful practice in the name of safety that does not improve outcomes and increases the detrimental impact of deprivation and isolation from emotional support.

A Lansing man was sentenced to four years in federal prison after prosecutors said he produced synthetic cannabinoid-soaked paper and books at a Calumet City residence and mailed them to inmates in correctional facilities across the country.

09/04/2026

JHA thanks Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for its support of our prison monitoring work around healthcare.

Prison health is public health. Illinois must identify ways to make healthcare more accessible, deliver higher quality services in a timelier manner, and recruit and retain qualified medical staff to treat people who are incarcerated – this is the only way to protect the health, safety, and well-being of people in IDOC.

https://www.bcbsil.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/2026-blue-impact-grant-awards

09/03/2026

NEW Prison Monitoring Report: Menard Correctional Center

Conditions and treatment inside Menard underscore the need for depopulation. Read our report: https://bit.ly/Menard2025

09/02/2026

The John Howard Association of Illinois takes our name from High Sheriff John Howard, one of the earliest known prison reformers. The deplorable state of English prisons in 1773 – coupled with his own experience as a prisoner of war in 1756 – motivated his life's work in prison reform.

It is on one hand shocking that hundreds of years after Mr. Howard began the practice of inspecting prisons and undertaking efforts to increase accountability and improve the treatment of people in custody that this work is still urgently needed; while some things have changed, others remain frighteningly constant.

It is, however, a testament to his core belief that people in custody should be treated with dignity and respect that several organizations (on different continents) including JHA bear his name, continuing to monitor prisons, fight for improvements, and advocate for conditions and treatment for people who are incarcerated that respect our shared humanity.

09/01/2026

Help JHA celebrate 125 years of recognizing the humanity of people who are incarcerated and fighting for just, fair treatment and transparency in Illinois prisons - buy your ticket or make a donation today. www.thejha.org/125

JHA is thrilled to be hosting speaker Larry Miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand at Nike & Founder of JUMP (Justice and Upward Mobility Project). You won't want to miss his talk!

08/31/2026

"This change is “deeply concerning” to the prison watchdog group the John Howard Association. “The more you deny people access to support, the worse they feel, the more behavior devolves,” said Jennifer Vollen-Katz"

Incarcerated Illinoisans admitted to solitary confinement appear to no longer have access to outside communication, legal materials and educational programming through tablets, according to advocates.