Illinois lawmakers demand improved mental healthcare in prisons

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – State lawmakers want to improve access to mental healthcare in prisons following concerning reports about the lack of care in a suburban facility. However, prison staff and advocates have long called for significant improvements.The Marshall Project, WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times reported in July that men in the Joliet Treatment Center suffered from physical and psychological abuse, leading prisoners to set fires in desperation. Leaders from the Illinois Department of Corrections told lawmakers Tuesday that they are committed to ensuring the safety and security of staff, people in custody, and all other people who enter Illinois prisons.“Correctional facilities were never designed to serve as long-term behavioral health centers,” said IDOC Director Latoya Hughes. “Even with dedicated staff and resources, the correctional environment cannot fully replace a community-based system of care.” Hughes said there are 30,000 people in the Illinois Department of Corre