The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is reporting its lowest inmate population in almost five years. Yet, facilities remain overcrowded and population numbers continue to be a concern as state resources are stretched.
According to the IDOC’s quarterly report, Illinois’ prisons had 47,483 inmates in custody as of May. Although a decline in population figures is promising, state prison facilities are only designed to accommodate 32,000 prisoners.
To combat overcrowded prisons, Gov. Rauner issued an Executive Order in February creating a commission charged with identifying ways to reform the criminal justice system of Illinois and reduce the prison population. The goal of the commission is to have the prison population drop by 25 percent over the next 10 years.
To read the full quarterly report, visit the Illinois Department of Correction’s website by clicking here.