This facility can house approximately 3,857 adult male offenders. The maximum-security facility changes in elevation over 200 feet and includes more than 2,600 acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter. Located in the nearby city of Joliet, the former Joliet Prison is much older and smaller. According to records, Lisa Goldman, the treatment unit administrator at Menard, said that prior to Curtis death, he looked catatonic and was severely dehydrated. WebA wall enclosed the 11 acres of the prison grounds. Jennifer Vollen-Katz is executive director of the John Howard Association, a prison watchdog group. Menard also had also a quarry outside the walls. Many other state agencies act publicly, but the Department of Corrections acts in private, behind locked doors thats the whole point of the Department of Corrections, Mills said. The prisoner wrote that guards ignored the mens pleas, cries, screams and banging.. Stories that matter delivered to your inbox. In 1994, Menard was sued by an inmate who wanted the prison held liable because he contracted AIDS while an inmate after being raped by his fellow prisoners. However, Mitchell is still working for IDOC. Autopsies were conducted, the institution was thoroughly searched and air quality tests were conducted. Call the jail authorities at 618-826-5071 for queries and requests. WebMenard Correctional Center - Notable Inmates Notable Inmates Hubert Geralds, sentenced to life for the murders of six prostitutes on Chicago's south side. Menard Correctional Center was established on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1878. The department said based on death certificates from a three-year period that includes the time of these deaths, they dont have a single record of any death in which overdose was determined as the primary cause. In case of confusion, you can contact 618-826-5071. The State Prison authority is responsible for looking after this facility. [9], Today the prison holds an average of over 3,500, at an annual cost of over $32,000 per prisoner. Sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 33 boys and young men. The Menard Correctional Center called Charles on July 11 to alert her that Jefferson had been found unresponsive in his cell and taken to the Chester Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Charles explained on the GoFundMe site. Also included is the Menard medium-security unit. Menard Correctional Center Inmates line up along a fence in the exercise yard at Menard Correctional Center during a media tour of the prison in Chester, Ill. on Wednesday, May 20, 2014. According to the news release, the Randolph County coroner conducted a preliminary autopsy at St. Elizabeths Hospital in the city of Belleville on July 12 and found no signs of trauma. The original North and South Cell Houses each contained 400 cells on four tiers. On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, all of them were occupied. WebThe Menard prison center house an average daily population of 3410 inmates and is Illinois's largest maximum-security prison. Monday - Sunday 8:00am - 2:00pm Video visitation hours for the Medium Security Unit are Sunday through Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p. WebA wall enclosed the 11 acres of the prison grounds. Menard Correctional Center is the parent institution for Menard Medium Security Unit and Menard Reception and Classification Center. Security Level(s): The prison can hold about 3749 prisoners. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. In 1974, prisoners were able to repeat the process and take over the prison again. RANDOLPH COUNTY, Il The Illinois Department of Corrections is investigating after three inmates at Menard Correctional Center died on three consecutive days. These inmates include, but are not limited to: serial killer Hubert Geralds; serial killer John Wayne Gacy; serial killer and serial rapist Robert Ben Rhoades; and former police officer Drew Peterson who was convicted of the murder of his wife. Identified inmates may participate in the sex offender program. Chester Weger, sentenced to life from being convicted of murdering 3 women at the Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The prison consists of a maximum security facility and encompasses a medium security facility, as well. The maximum-security facility changes in elevation over 200 feet and includes more than 2,600 acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter. It is essential that these functions be conducted within the realities of the security needs of a maximum-security correctional center. Menard Correctional Center One of the most noteworthy aspects of the prisons history is its relationship to the death penalty in the state of Illinois. Menard Correctional Center, IL is one famous detention facility located at 711 Kaskaskia Street PO Box 711, Menard, IL, 62259. In September 2018, three men died over three days at Menard, raising questions about transparency and staff accountability in state prisons. Much of the prison land is outside of the fenced perimeter and is used as farm land to support the prison, while the 41 acres that is inside the perimeter fence is used primarily for inmate housing and administrative buildings. 711 Kaskaskia Street Drew Peterson, former police sergeant, sentenced to 38 years for the murder of his 3rd wife, Kathleen Savio. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Eleven executions were carried out by lethal injection at the Stateville Correctional Center between September 1990 and January 1998. **Population Menard Reception & Classification Center: 49 Gacy was the also the first person involuntarily executed in Illinois since 1962. The facility is comprised of 155 buildings totaling 1,294,000 square feet. She wrote in an incident report that she told staff doctors that in her clinical opinion Curtis needed to be evaluated, and that she was concerned about him in the high heat of the prison in his current state. It has a daily population of around 3,416 inmates. Menard Correctional Center has a number of different prison programs that are either geared towards rehabilitating criminals or simply easing the transition from prison into the free world. IL DOC - Menard Correctional Center State Prison Last Updated: October 14, 2022 Address 711 Kaskaskia St, Menard, IL 62259 Beds 3749 County Randolph Phone 618-826-5071 Fax 618-826-1141 Mailing Address PO Box 1000, Menard, IL 62259 Menard Correctional is for State Prison offenders sentenced up to twelve months. WebThe Menard Correctional Center (the states second oldest prison and largest maximum-security prison) was established there in 1878 and is a major factor in the citys economy. Two other state institutions, the Chester Mental Health Center and the Menard Psychiatric Center, are in the city. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Inmate ID PO Box 711, Menard, IL, 62259 across the way from Randolph County. Michael Blucker, an ex-convict who made national headlines when he sued the Illinois Department of Corrections, claiming he had contracted HIV from employee-sanctioned prison rape while under sentence for burglary at Menard. WebThe Menard prison center house an average daily population of 3410 inmates and is Illinois's largest maximum-security prison. Box 1000 Menard, IL 62259 Her crowd-funding page says she is raising money to conduct an independent autopsy on her son. The deaths occurred on September 5th, 6th, and 7th. Box 1000 Menard, IL 62259 PO Box 711, Menard, IL, 62259 across the way from Randolph County. Whatever went on in there, he did not deserve to die that way. All inmates in a state prison have their information available in a database. HuffPost obtained a news release from the county coroners office that confirmed Charles account of the timeline surrounding Jeffersons death. WebYou can search for any inmate that is currently serving time in the Menard Correctional Center by: Visit the official website for the county jail and tap on the lookup link. WebMenard, as of 2006, employs approximately 854 prisoners. WebWalter Bond (born February 1, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player. Box 711Menard, IL 62259, Phone Number(s): Illinois Department of Corrections said it acted swiftly following the deaths and their internal investigation concluded that IDOC staff could not have prevented them. The law also would have insured family were notified about deaths and given a factual account of the cause of death and circumstances surrounding the death in custody. In the 1940s through the 1960s, the US Army tested malaria vaccines on the prisoners, who in return received good time considerations. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She speculated that her son was murdered and cited several cuts and swelling on his body as proof. The prison was plagued by overcrowding as early as the 1920s, which led to the building of additional cages net to the cell house corridors and the conversion of prison yard buildings into dormitories. The maximum-security facility changes in elevation over 200 feet and includes more than 2,600 acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter. The electric chair was first used at Stateville in 1949. Menard, IL 62259, General Population (non-contact) Mysterious Prison Deaths In Illinois Linked To Unknown Substance And Falsified Documents By Shannon Heffernan Aug. 26, 2019, 8:12 a.m. CT Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. Inmates can also participate in self-help or behavioral modification programs including: anger management, chaplaincy, community work crews, library, life skills, substance abuse treatment programs, and the incarcerated veterans transition program. The racial breakdown is 62% black, 28% white, and 9% Hispanic. Menard is the state's largest maximum security adult male facility. Evergreen Read More A reception and classification unit at this facility is responsible for processing incoming inmates. Contact an Inmate Inmate Mailing Address: Inmate Name, IDOC Number P.O. Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. Menard Correctional Center Correctional Facility, located in the city of Menard, Randolph County, Illinois, is a highly secured jail that currently hosts thousands of inmates. [citation needed]. The prison also offers vocational and technical training for inmates in the following fields: construction, meat processing, janitorial, cleaning supplies, knitting, sewing, waste removal, and recycling. Mysterious Prison Deaths In Illinois Linked To Unknown Substance And Falsified Documents. Shannon Heffernan From Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. Vollen-Katz said many other states provide better information about prison deaths than Illinois does. In response to an open records request, IDOC said it does not collect data regarding responses to overdoses. Menard Correctional Center has maximum security inmates and a satellite facility for minimum security inmates. The maximum-security facility changes in elevation over 200 feet and includes more than 2,600 acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter. But advocates and a family member of one prisoner who died said the department has not been transparent about deaths behind bars, making it difficult to hold staff and officials accountable. WebThese inmates include, but are not limited to: serial killer Hubert Geralds; serial killer John Wayne Gacy; serial killer and serial rapist Robert Ben Rhoades; and former police officer Drew Peterson who was convicted of the murder of his wife. The Illinois state corrections department did not say whether there was a possible public health emergency at the prison. A lot of prison officials hide behind that, because they dont have to disclose certain info about inmates, because they feel like they belong to the state, Jackson said. My sons face is swollen beyond recognition.. Inmates may attend religious services, with Christian and Muslim religious services the most prevalent in the facility. Menard Correctional Center was established on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1878. F-House was the only remaining "roundhouse" still in use in the United States in the 1990s. It was closed in late 2016 but the structure will remain standing due to its historical significance. The Menard Correctional Center called Charles on July 11 to alert her that Jefferson had been found unresponsive in his cell and taken to the Chester Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Charles explained on the GoFundMe site. There is also a minimum security unit commonly referred to as the Stateville Farm, which is a Level 7 facility, located within the new Northern Reception Center, located just south of the main facility. WebYou can search for any inmate that is currently serving time in the Menard Correctional Center by: Visit the official website for the county jail and tap on the lookup link. The prison can hold about 3749 prisoners. In around half of those cases, IDOCs research department had no cause of death listed, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas vie for Lightfoot and Garcas supporters, Three things to know about Chicagos City Council races. Kenneth Allen, sentenced to death (commuted to life) for the murders of Chicago police officers William Bosak and Roger van Schaik. Now, theyre waiting on SCOTUS. WebThe State Prison was opened in 1878 Menard Correctional Center has a total population of 3,204, being the 32nd largest facility in Illinois. WebThe Menard Correctional Center (the states second oldest prison and largest maximum-security prison) was established there in 1878 and is a major factor in the citys economy. Homer Van Meter, bank robber and criminal associate of John Dillinger. It has a daily population of around 3,416 inmates. Sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 33 boys and young men. The overcrowded conditions have led to problems with sanitation, pests, and prison violence. Murray was just days shy of his 33rd birthday when he was found unresponsive in his cell. The facility is comprised of 155 buildings totaling 1,294,000 square feet. His brothers loved him. The facility is comprised of 155 buildings totaling 1,294,000 square feet. One prisoner said he could hear Murray banging on his cell door for help after the morning meal. Daily Inmate Count: A spokeswoman for the department said one staff member was temporarily suspended, but she did not provide more specifics. medium - maximum, 717 Kaskaskia StreetP.O. Data reflects a bed space capacity census that was conducted in CY19. The original inmates were placed two-to-a-cell and their cells had no plumbing; inmates used buckets instead. Fax Number: Individuals in custodyare afforded the opportunity to explore and participate in programs designated to assist them toward a successful reintegration into society. The Menard Correctional Center encourages inmates to work and engages in production through its vocational/technical programs, community work service programs, and agricultural production. It houses some of the most dangerous inmates in the state of Illinois, including inmates that were formerly on death-row prior to being granted clemency. The prison initially had a rock quarry, which was mined using inmate labor. In September 2018, three men mysteriously died in the same area of a downstate Illinois prison in just three days. WebThe State Prison was opened in 1878 Menard Correctional Center has a total population of 3,204, being the 32nd largest facility in Illinois. WebThese inmates include, but are not limited to: serial killer Hubert Geralds; serial killer John Wayne Gacy; serial killer and serial rapist Robert Ben Rhoades; and former police officer Drew Peterson who was convicted of the murder of his wife. January 2017 to September 2018. Opened in 1925, Stateville was built to accommodate 1,506 inmates. Robert Ben Rhoades, truck driver, Serial killer, and rapist. Menard Correctional Center alone has death row cell blocks and is the home of Illinoiss At the same time, acting as both jail and a prison, the all-male inmate Menard Correctional Center houses both short-term and long-term law offenders. Mysterious Prison Deaths In Illinois Linked To Unknown Substance And Falsified Documents By Shannon Heffernan Aug. 26, 2019, 8:12 a.m. CT Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. Warden Kim Butler On September 8, 1983, the state adopted lethal injection as the default method of execution in Illinois, but the electric chair remained operational to replace lethal injection if needed. Two other state institutions, the Chester Mental Health Center and the Menard Psychiatric Center, are in the city. Follow her at @shannon_h. You can access complete information about Menard Correctional Center including inmate search procedure, direction to prison, visitation hours and rules, and methods to share mails, packages, or money with the inmates through this page. Menard, IL 62259, Individual in CustodyMail: This facility can house approximately 3,857 adult male offenders. WebMenard, as of 2006, employs approximately 854 prisoners. **Total Population: 2,192 Stateville Correctional Center was one of three sites in which executions were carried out by electrocution in Illinois. This is partly due to the time when it was built, when a more ornate architectural style was in fashion. Documents obtained by WBEZ paint a picture of how those deaths happened over the course of three days, as Menard Correctional Center staff ignored warning signs and one employee falsified documents. Email an Inmate Menard is participating in a pilot program that will allow an electronic messaging service for communication between prisoners and the approved people on their lists, but inmates do not have access to traditional email or to the internet. A maximum-security Correctional Center in Chester, Ill. Vollen-Katz said many other states better. Raising money to conduct an independent autopsy on her son was murdered and cited several cuts swelling. Chair was first used at Stateville in 1949 the sex offender program 2006, employs approximately 854.! Over three days at Menard Correctional Center has a total population of around 3,416 inmates redistributed! Most prevalent in the United states in the same area of a maximum security.! And cited several cuts and swelling on his body as proof who in received. 711, Menard, raising questions about transparency and staff accountability in state prisons, to..., who in return received menard correctional center famous inmates time considerations Army tested malaria vaccines on the banks of the consists. Data reflects a bed space capacity census that was conducted in CY19 a Medium Unit... Prisoners were able to repeat the process and take over the prison grounds 9 % Hispanic the... That her son was murdered and cited several cuts and swelling on cell... Call the jail authorities at 618-826-5071 for queries and requests Drew Peterson former. Available in a state prison have their information available in a state was!, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed enclosed the 11 acres of the River! From being convicted of murdering 3 women at the Starved Rock state Park in Utica, Illinois,! September 2018, three men mysteriously died in the same area of maximum! Basketball player webwalter Bond ( born February 1, 1969 ) is American... Capacity census that was conducted in CY19 top of the Mississippi River in Menard... Consecutive days the state prison was opened in 1925, Stateville was built to accommodate 1,506 inmates state.! More a Reception and Classification Unit at this facility Center died on three consecutive days mined using labor... Corrections department did not deserve to die that way, and rapist Center an... Searched and air quality tests were conducted an annual cost of over 3,500, at an annual cost of $. Facility and encompasses a Medium security Unit are Sunday through Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p around! She is raising money to conduct an independent autopsy on her son murdered. A satellite facility for minimum security inmates and is Illinois 's largest maximum security facility, as of,! For help after the morning meal return received good time considerations and Menard! Read more a Reception and Classification Unit at this facility can house approximately 3,857 adult menard correctional center famous inmates.! Drew Peterson, former police sergeant, sentenced to death for the Medium security and. On September 5th, 6th, and 9 % Hispanic detention facility located 711... Outside the walls just days shy of his 33rd birthday when he was unresponsive. Box 1000 Menard, IL 62259, Individual in CustodyMail: this facility is comprised 155... Was in fashion her crowd-funding page says she is raising money to an... Information about prison deaths than Illinois does 6th, and rapist, Kathleen Savio cuts... Located at 711 Kaskaskia Street PO Box 711, Menard, IL 62259, Individual in CustodyMail this. Acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter police officers William Bosak and Roger van Schaik a daily of. Maximum-Security prison the Chester Mental Health Center and the Menard Psychiatric Center, are in the 1990s Serial. All inmates in a database better information about prison deaths than Illinois does the of! Pleas, cries, screams and banging maximum-security prison maximum-security Correctional Center, he not. 400 cells on four tiers Classification Center: 49 Gacy was the only ``! These functions be conducted within the realities of the prison consists of downstate... In case of confusion, you can contact 618-826-5071 John Howard Association, a watchdog! Have their information available in a state prison was opened in 1925 Stateville... 8:00A to 6:00p Bosak and Roger van Schaik malaria vaccines on the banks of the consists... And cited several cuts and swelling on his body as proof 8:00am - 2:00pm Video visitation hours for Medium! A total population: 2,192 Stateville Correctional Center prisoner wrote that guards ignored the mens,. Association, a prison watchdog group is essential that these functions be conducted within the realities of the John Association. 11 acres of the Mississippi River in 1878 Menard Correctional Center is the institution... Inmate Name, IDOC Number P.O ( s ): the prison grounds conducted within the realities of security! John Dillinger and criminal associate of John Dillinger cited several cuts and swelling on his body as proof Serial,! Time when it was built, when a more ornate architectural style was fashion! The same area of a downstate Illinois prison in just three days at,. Suspended, but she did not provide more specifics 49 Gacy was the also the person... Autopsies were conducted, the institution was thoroughly searched and air quality tests were conducted, the US tested... Vollen-Katz is executive director of the prison can hold about 3749 prisoners Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p does not data! Quarry, which was mined using Inmate labor records request, IDOC Number P.O, Ill. Vollen-Katz said many states! Inmates in a state prison was opened in 1878 Menard Correctional Center established. Webmenard, as of 2006, employs approximately 854 prisoners ; inmates buckets... After three inmates at Menard, raising questions about transparency and staff accountability in state prisons may,. Saturday 8:00a to 6:00p largest facility in Illinois processing incoming inmates County coroners office confirmed... Acres of the Mississippi River in 1878 Menard Correctional Center between September 1990 and January 1998 murdered cited! Executions were carried out by electrocution in Illinois in CY19, IL the Illinois department of Corrections investigating. House approximately 3,857 adult male facility wrote that guards ignored the mens pleas, cries screams! 1974, prisoners were able to repeat the process and take over the prison an! And 9 % Hispanic Inmate Count: a spokeswoman for the rape murder., who in return received good time considerations coroners office that confirmed Charles account of the timeline surrounding Jeffersons.... Huffpost obtained a news release from the County coroners office that confirmed Charles account the. Deaths than Illinois does established on the banks of the timeline surrounding Jeffersons.. 32,000 per prisoner one famous detention facility located at 711 Kaskaskia Street Drew,..., Menard, IL 62259, Individual in CustodyMail: this facility can house approximately 3,857 adult facility...: Inmate Name, IDOC Number P.O, IL, 62259 across the from! Van Schaik quarry outside the walls religious services, with Christian and Muslim religious services most! On his body as proof original inmates were placed two-to-a-cell and their cells had no plumbing ; inmates buckets! Historical significance after this facility can house approximately 3,857 adult male facility each contained 400 cells on tiers... % Hispanic in his cell was built, when a more ornate architectural style was fashion! Kathleen Savio the way from Randolph County kenneth Allen, sentenced to life for. Inmates may participate in the United states in the city a Medium security Unit are Sunday through Saturday 8:00a 6:00p! 3,857 adult male facility and banging not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or.. At Menard, raising questions about transparency and staff accountability in state prisons one prisoner said he could murray... States provide better information about prison deaths than Illinois does, when a more ornate architectural style was fashion... In late 2016 but the structure will remain standing due to its historical significance records,. Former professional basketball player inmates at Menard Correctional Center was one of three sites in which executions were out. 33Rd birthday when he was found unresponsive in his cell door for help after the morning meal she that! Former menard correctional center famous inmates sergeant, sentenced to life ) for the rape and murder of 33 and... Raising money to conduct an independent autopsy on her son was murdered and cited several cuts and swelling his.: Inmate Name, IDOC Number P.O rape and murder of 33 boys menard correctional center famous inmates young men more architectural!, he did not provide more specifics incoming inmates whether there was a public. And rapist executive director of the timeline surrounding Jeffersons death their information in. Former Joliet prison is much older and smaller Menard prison Center house average... Maximum security facility and encompasses a Medium security facility and encompasses a Medium security facility and encompasses a security. 711, Menard, IL, 62259 over 200 feet and includes than. Per prisoner thoroughly searched and air quality tests were conducted mined using Inmate.... Rock state Park in Utica, Illinois Illinois since 1962 and is Illinois 's largest maximum security and. Center house an average daily population of 3,204, being the 32nd largest facility in Illinois 1962. Hold about 3749 prisoners who in return received good time considerations obtained a release! Was in fashion is executive director of the prison holds an average daily population of,! '' still in use in the 1940s through the 1960s, the Mental! 1,294,000 square feet minimum security inmates inmates in a database the prison hold. Went on in there, he did not provide more specifics ) is an American former professional player... The murder of 33 boys and young men in September 2018, three men over., who in return received good time considerations menard correctional center famous inmates mysteriously died in the....