{The following news release was announced Tuesday afternoon by IDOC:}
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is temporarily pausing intakes
from county jails as it responds to COVID-19 outbreaks at correctional facilities. These facilities
include the Graham, Logan, Menard and Northern Reception and Classification Centers where
county jails transport new admissions.
County sheriffs were notified Tuesday afternoon as part of
IDOC’s continued commitment to provide them with frequent, transparent communication.
IDOC is utilizing space normally reserved for new admissions to safely quarantine and isolate
incarcerated individuals who have been exposed or tested positive for COVID-19.
The Department will continue accepting individuals from county jails who are scheduled to be
released from custody the same day they are transferred. Individual requests for intakes due to
special circumstances, such as medical or safety concerns, will be considered. When COVID-19
cases decline, IDOC expects space to become available for county jail intakes.
“Congregate living facilities present unique infection control challenges due to the lack of
quarantine and isolation space,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “The Department recognizes
the hardships county jails face when we cannot accept admissions, but we must take aggressive
action to keep the community and everyone who lives and works in our facilities safe and
healthy,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys.
IDOC is continuing its aggressive response to COVID-19 across facilities. All staff and
individuals in custody are temperature checked, masked, symptom screened and routinely tested.
75% of the incarcerated population and 66% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Additionally, thousands of individuals in custody and staff have taken advantage of multiple onsite
opportunities to receive a booster shot. IDOC continues to work closely with the Illinois
Department of Public Health, infectious disease consultants, and correctional agencies across the
nation to ensure best practices and protect the health and safety of those inside its facilities.
