2018 Monitoring Report for IYC-Harrisburg
Illinois Youth Center-Harrisburg (IYC-Harrisburg) is a secure male medium-security Level 2 facility
for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). It is located in southeastern Illinois, about 30
minutes from the Illinois-Kentucky border. Harrisburg serves as the southern reception and
classification center for IDJJ male youth.

Vital Statistics:
Population: 136
Average Age: 16.6
Population by race: White (28%), Black
(65.4%), Hispanic (2.2%)
Committing offense: Murder 0%, Class X
felonies 15.4%, Class 1 felonies 28%, Class 2
felonies 43.4%, Class 3 felonies 9%, Class 4
felonies 4.4%.
Key Observations:
- The facility has formed new partnerships with local organizations and companies to have
youth visit and participate in volunteer activities. The institution has a variety of job
opportunities in the facility, with the largest number of positions being in dietary (food
preparation and delivery). Additionally, IYC-Harrisburg has an active vocational program
which includes courses focused on carpentry skills, custodial management, and horticulture.
-

The classrooms appeared orderly and quiet, and teachers were observed being engaged with
students and provided individualized instruction for youth as needed. Security guards were
stationed outside of the school area, as opposed to standing watch inside each of the
classrooms. Administrators noted several interventions which have helped minimize
disruptive behavior by youth, including a “cool down” room for youth to privately work on
course material while being supervised by a staff, incentives for good behavior through PBIS
(Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports), and the school-based award of being “Cool
in School,” for good behavior, where youth are provided with several incentives including
food and access to video games.

-

One recent change in the implementation of mental health treatment at IYC-Harrisburg has
been the move of mental health counselors from offices in a separate administrative building

 into the housing units, which makes mental health providers more accessible to the youth
on their caseload.
-

Two-thirds (66.6%) of all 102 youth who receive mental health services receive psychotropic
medication at IYC-Harrisburg. In examining the empirical support of these medications as it
relates to youth, along with the most prescribed medications and diagnoses at IYCHarrisburg, youth at IYC-Harrisburg are being prescribed medications for disorders for
which there is no established effectiveness. For example, Seroquel (Quetiapine), a
medication empirically supported to treat severe psychiatric disorders among children such
as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which has a strong sedating effect, is instead used at
IYC-Harrisburg to treat behavioral disorders such as conduct disorder, a disorder for which
the medication has not been proven to be effective.

-

Because some staff perceive that without being able to use solitary confinement as a form of
discipline the institution is ineffective in addressing youth misbehavior, particularly after
instances of assaults, several staff have taken alternative steps to ensure that youth
experience consequences for their actions. Over the past year, staff, in their capacity as
private citizens, have “walked in” charges against youth for their alleged assaultive behavior
by going directly to local law enforcement and reporting the in-facility behavior leading to
new criminal charges against these youth. Many of these youth have ended up with long
sentences in adult prison, an outcome that irreversibly negatively impacts the lives of these
youth and their families and stands in clear contradiction to the mission of IDJJ.

-

Though no youth whom we spoke with at the time of our visit to Harrisburg reported any
mistreatment while in the presence of staff, during visits to other facilities youth who were
transferred from IYC-Harrisburg reported their experiences to JHA. One youth stated that
correctional officers at the facility encourage youth to fight each other, and when fights do
occur, staff members routinely do not intervene. Another youth noted that correctional staff
are “abusive,” stating that youth are assaulted by staff when no one is looking and when out
of the view of cameras.

-

Administrators noted that after a particular age, youth are not influenced by either points or
positive rewards. Incentives seem to work, in their experience, with a younger population.

2

 Executive Summary
The John Howard Association (JHA) conducted a full monitoring visit of Illinois Youth Center
(IYC)-Harrisburg (Harrisburg) on May 14th, 2018. In our tour of the facility, the school and
vocational programs are operating well, and youth appeared engaged with the instruction and the
material. Many youth are employed in various positions throughout the institution, including
dietary where food for youth and staff are prepared and delivered.
IYC-Harrisburg has received notoriety of late concerning its treatment of youth, both within and
outside the facility. Inside the facility, youth are reporting physically abusive treatment by staff,
resulting in physical injury Additionally, when youth have assaulted staff, the involved staff have
filed charges as citizens with the State’s Attorney’s office. Since this practice began in late 2015,
approximately twenty youth have faced adult prosecutions, resulting in 14 youth being sentenced
while 6 youth have pending casesi.
In our investigation of the circumstances surrounding this increase in charges being brought against
youth, it was revealed that staff who are pressing charges feel that the current protocol for
management of disruptive behavior, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is not
effective compared to the previous method of intervention, the use of solitary confinement and
restraints. In order to be in compliance with the consent decree in the ongoing R.J. v. Mueller
litigation, alternatives to solitary confinement had to be enacted, and though IYC-Harrisburg
pioneered PBIS in the school system years prior to its implementation throughout IDJJ, some staff
have been reluctant to utilize PBIS as the primary means of controlling behavior. Their reluctance
is, in part, warranted, as the documentation on PBIS does not appropriately discuss ways to manage
extremely disruptive behavior, and for some older youth, incentives provided through PBIS do not
seem to impact their behavior. In order to manage problematic behavior, youth are placed on either
a “targeted” or “intensive” intervention plan, which require careful planning by multiple staff
members, which are discussed in weekly staffing meetings. The staff report that these interventions,
though labor-intensive, are effective if implemented correctly.
Another less-discussed method of managing problematic behavior is through the use of
psychotropic medication. A total of 68 youth are prescribed psychotropic medications, which is
66.6% of all youth who receive mental health services (102). However, in examining the empirical
support of these medications as it relates to youth, along with the most prescribed medications and
diagnoses at IYC-Harrisburg, youth there are being prescribed medications for disorders for which
there is no established effectiveness. One commonly-prescribed medication, Quetiapine (Seroquel),
is shown to be effective for youth with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When prescribed to
those without such conditions, however, the medication is a strong sedative. Seroquel was reported
as being a commonly prescribed medication at IYC-Harrisburg, and neither schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder was mentioned as common disorders among IYC-Harrisburg youth, raising the issue of
3

 sedating anti-psychotic medications such as Seroquel being used to manage youth behavior in cases
where PBIS is not responsive.
Taken together, the reports from youth about treatment from staff, high numbers of youth being
prosecuted on adult charges, and use of psychotropic medication that is not indicated for what it is
being prescribed for, it is clear that IYC-Harrisburg, as well as the other large IDJJ facilities, lack the
ability to successfully manage youth behavior. The inability of IDJJ to create a rehabilitative and
restorative environment for youth has led to physical and psychological harm, as well as adult
convictions where youth are being sentenced in adult facilities. Of the methods of addressing youth
disruptive behavior, the “targeted” and “intensive” interventions, seem to be the most effective.
However, these interventions require a great deal of staff effort and coordination, which is
challenging to enact facility-wide or to a larger set of youth. Tailored interventions similar to those
enacted in IYC-Harrisburg may be better implemented in smaller facilities where more
individualized attention and support can be provided to each youth.

4

 The Facility
A. Population of Youth and Staff
IYC-Harrisburg has capacity to house 257 youth between the
ages of 13 to 20 years. At the time of JHA’s 2018 visit, the
facility held 136 youth, which is a 16% increase in population
from JHA’s 2016 visit (when the population was 117 youth).
The facility’s population of 136 youth indicates that the facility
is at 45.3% capacity.

IYC Harrisburg
Population
136

At the time of the visit, there were 263 staff (including state and
contract positions) at Harrisburg. Of the 263, 241 (92%) were
117
identified as White/Caucasian, 16 (6%) as Black/African
American, and 6 (2%) listed their identities as Unknown/Other.
2016
2018
The differences between youth racial/ethnic demographics
compared to staff are large, with an over-representation of White staff compared to the number of
Black youth. However, the staff demographics are similar to those of the surrounding city of
Harrisburgii. At the time of the visit there were 151 security staff employed at the facility, and the
security staff-to-youth ratio in the facility in the day shift was 1:2, for the evening shift the ratio was
1:3, and for the night shift the ratio was 1:6.

STAFF ETHNIC/RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS
Unknown/Other, 6,
2%

Black/African
American, 16, 6%

White/Caucasian,
241, 92%

There are 26 staff vacancies in the facility, with a majority of the openings being
administrative/clerical positions. Administrators report that hiring of qualified staff is currently a

5

 concern for the facility as many staff have retired. In addition, incoming applications for security
specialists have decreased over the past two years. To address the lack of applications,
JHA was told that administrators will be going to job fairs and actively recruiting through colleges
and universities in the area. Despite the vacancies, administrators report that the facility is able to
operate at the current census by moving staff from clerical positions into security and increasing
staff hours in the form of overtime. The staff note that with an increase in overtime hours, the risk
of staff burnout increases. Though the facility is managing with current staff levels, they did report
that a higher youth population would create a strain on the system, which was the case several
months ago when the census was at 150 (58% capacity). As a result, administrators have made
concerted efforts to keep the facility census low by releasing youth in a timely manner.

B. Physical Plant
IYC-Harrisburg, which first opened in 1983, is a Level 2 medium-security facility for male youth
located in southeastern Illinois, about 30 minutes from the Illinois-Kentucky border. Harrisburg
serves as the southern reception and classification center for IDJJ male youth. Due to Harrisburg’s
dual function as both a reception and classification center and a higher level security facility, it
retains traditional adult prison physical plant characteristics such as large, barred doors at entrances
and barbed wire.
Youth are housed in buildings B, C, and D, and each building may have up to 4 individual housing
units. Building B has 3 housing units on the ground level, and mental health, clinical, and healthcare
staff and offices are located on the lower level. Buildings C and D have 4 units per building, with
two units on each side of the building. There are specialized units for different populations in the
facility, including youth new to IDJJ commitment (Reception and Classification), youth with
substance abuse issues, juvenile sex offenders, and youth who may need special intervention due to
behavioral issues. These specific units will be discussed below.
In addition to the individual housing units, the facility has a primary building which houses
administrative offices, the school, and vocational programming, including carpentry and custodial
management. Outside of the primary building, a newly rehabilitated greenhouse was observed by
JHA staff, which is used for their horticulture program. The facility also has a gym and a dietary
unit, neither of which were observed during this visit.
With regard to recent changes to the physical plant of the facility, it was reported that the electrical
system throughout the institution recently received an upgrade. The lack of a fully functioning
electrical system caused issues in heating and cooling of the facility last year. Additionally, the
facility now has back-up generators which can remedy any disruptions to electrical service. A
cooling tower was also installed in the dietary facility, which reportedly reduced the facility water
bill by 50%. Concerning other areas of the facility in need of maintenance, the staff identified that
6

 roofs were in need of repair, the plumbing drains need to be replaced, and windows could be
replaced to improve energy efficiency.

C. Programming
Administrators reported that youth are offered opportunities to participate in programs in the
community, which provide positive social interactions and learning opportunities. The facility has
formed partnerships with local organizations and companies to have youth visit and participate in
volunteer activities. For example, they have partnered with a local McDonalds fast food restaurant
to provide job shadowing opportunities for youth interested in learning employable skills. They also
partnered with the Herrin House of Hope, a faith-based
The facility has formed
organization where youth learn employable skills in the
organization’s thrift store, food pantry, and restaurant. JHA
partnerships with local
appreciates the hands-on vocational training offered to youth.
organizations and
It was unclear, however, how many youth are eligible for
companies to have youth
these vocational trainings, and how often they occur.

visit and participate in
volunteer activities.

In addition to the vocational training trips, well-behaved
youth have been taken to college sporting events and theater
productions. Of the 136 youth at IYC-Harrisburg,
administrators report that approximately 2-4 youth are approved to go on excursions into the
community. The administrators stated that they have a small number of well-behaved youth
because otherwise-eligible youth would typically be transferred to the neighboring less-secure
facility, IYC Pere Marquette, where outside visits occur with greater frequency.
Administrators discussed their efforts to hold more events inside the facility in order to provide a
more diverse experience for youth who are not eligible to leave the premises. Each month they try
to hold at least one event in the outside spaces in the facility. Past events include: team building
activities, track and field day, water balloon day, an Easter egg hunt, basketball and softball, and a
hot dog and marshmallow roast. However, in speaking with youth about activities in the facility,
they report minimal activities for youth on lower behavioral levels which has resulted in extended
idle time either on their unit or in their cells.
Approximately 55 youth have jobs in the facility, which include food preparation and delivery,
ground maintenance, and other tasks that assist in the care of the facility. The ground maintenance
jobs are part of the horticulture program, which is beneficial as youth obtain job experience as well
as any necessary certifications to use for employment in those professions upon release. Though not
linked to a specific vocational program at the institution, dietary (food preparation and delivery)
reportedly instructs youth on many additional employable skills beyond basic food preparation,
including sanitation, serving, and customer transaction fulfillment.
7

 Mental Health Treatment And
Rehabilitative Programming
A. Scope of Mental Health Treatment
IDJJ developed and implemented a mental health level (MHL) system whereby within one week of
admission to a parent facility, a youth is placed in a mental health level which dictates the amount
and frequency of mental health services. The levels are on a hierarchy ranging from 0 to 4 with “0”
indicating no mental health needs to “4” requiring inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Neither this
hierarchy nor the recommendations made in the MHL system are based on requirements from
professional manuals, codes or policies like those published by the American Psychological
Association.
Of the youth in the facility on the day of JHA’s visit, 20% (25) youth were in level 0 which indicates
no mental health needs, 63% (79) youth, were described as having Minimal need (level 1), which
according to IDJJ definitions indicates that the youth are presenting with mild signs or symptoms of
a DSM-5 diagnosis. The DSM, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, now in
its fifth edition, is the text used by mental health providers to diagnose clients by providing criteria
for a diagnosis. Eighteen percent, or 23 youth, were labeled as having Moderate need (level 2),
which according to IDJJ definitions indicates that the youth were presenting with moderate signs or
symptoms from the DSM-5. There were no youth in the higher mental health levels, including
Urgent (level 3), Critical (level 3.5), or Hospitalized (level 4).

Mental Health Levels
of IYC Harrisburg Youth
MODERATE NEED

23

MINIMAL NEED

79

NO MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS

25

0

10

20

30

8

40

50

60

70

80

90

 According to IDJJ policy, the youth’s level dictates the amount of services required per month.
Youth who were in the Minimal need category required at least 90 minutes of mental health
services a month, which may include group and/or family therapy. Youth labeled as having
Moderate need required weekly mental health services (lasting 45 minutes in length) which may
include family therapy sessions. Taken altogether, 80% of youth incarcerated in IYC-Harrisburg are
at or above the minimal need of mental health services.
One recent change in the implementation of mental health treatment at IYC-Harrisburg has been
the move of mental health counselors from offices in a separate space into the housing units.
Though the modification in office space may seem trivial, this change in office location serves
multiple beneficial purposes within the institution. First, with the change in location, a mental
health provider is assigned to a housing unit, making them the sole mental health provider to youth
in that unit. This allows the mental health provider to not
only conveniently see youth in the unit, without requiring
One recent change in the
youth to travel to an office to be seen for therapy, but this
implementation of mental health
also allows the mental health provider to implement
treatment at IYC-Harrisburg has
impromptu psychotherapy while in the unit. An additional
been the move of mental health
benefit is that the assigned mental health provider can
counselors from offices in a
observe the dynamics of youth on the housing unit outside
separate space into the housing
of the context of psychotherapy. One issue with
units.
psychotherapy is that a client’s behavior may present
differently when in session compared to environments
outside of therapy. For example, a youth may mention in session that he is being bullied by another
youth, and a mental health provider, without having further information to corroborate the
statement, must believe what the youth has said. However, at IYC-Harrisburg the mental health
provider, in addition to providing psychotherapy to the youth, can also observe the youth in their
setting, and can also intervene as necessary. JHA observed this in action with a mental health
provider on a living unit, who saw her client for a therapy session and then interacted with youth on
the unit.
The potential challenge of having only one mental health provider in the housing unit is the issue of
therapeutic alliance, or relationship-building with the client and therapist. Not all therapists have
positive working relationships with their clients, because of either personality differences or
therapeutic relationship dynamics between the therapist and client such as transference and countertransferenceiii. The working relationship between a therapist and client is one of the core
components to success in psychotherapyiv. In other clinical settings, if a client and therapist do not
work well together, a client is transferred to another therapist. However, changing mental health
providers inside the facility can be challenging when one provider is assigned to the housing unit.
Further, it was reported that because of low mental health staffing levels, often one mental health
provider is assigned to multiple housing units. As a result, this makes changing the assigned mental
health provider to a youth even more difficult.
9

 B. Psychiatry
A total of 68 youth at IYC-Harrisburg are prescribed psychotropic medications, which is 66.6% of all
youth who receive mental health services (102). The most common diagnoses for which
psychotropic medications are prescribed are conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), depressive disorder, adolescent adjustment disorder, and PTSD. The three most
frequently prescribed medications were Seroquel (Quetiapine), Adderall, and Buspar (Buspirone).
In 2012, The International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions
reviewed the empirical evidence of psychotropic medications for particular mental health disorders
among youthv. Of the three most commonly prescribed medications at IYC-Harrisburg mentioned
earlier, Seroquel was shown to be effective in the treatment
of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Adderall was shown
Youth at IYC-Harrisburg are
to be effective in the treatment of ADHD, and Buspar was
being prescribed
not shown to be effective in any disorders. In examining
medications for disorders
the empirical support along with the most prescribed
medications and diagnoses at IYC-Harrisburg, youth at
for which there is no
IYC-Harrisburg are being prescribed medications for
established effectiveness
disorders for which there is no established effectiveness.
Though lack of empirical support in the prescribing of psychotropic medications may appear
harmless, it can be anything but. For example, in 2004, medical providers were prescribing
antidepressant medication to youth without prior studies examining its effectiveness on a youth
population, several youth who were prescribed the antidepressants committed suicide. This led the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include a public warning in October 2004 on the
medications about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior for youth under 25 who were
prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicationsvi. In a later review of the
research, Reeves and Ladner suggested that antidepressant-included suicidality was an uncommon
occurrence, though legitimatevii. To mitigate the low suicidal risk, they recommended that close
monitoring and follow-up care be provided for patients who are newly prescribed an antidepressant.
JHA notes that youth in facilities are closely monitored for adverse reactions to medications,
including SSRIs.
Additionally, following the 2004 FDA warning, the American Bar Association’s Commission on
Youth at Risk recommended that agencies that oversee juvenile justice develop comprehensive
policies “so that children and youth who need psychotropic medications are prescribed such
medications only to treat mental and behavioral health conditions, only as medically necessary, and
not merely to control behavior, and that these policies are developed in collaboration with best
practice guidelines from medical professional organizations and medical, mental health and
disability experts.”
10

 Seroquel (Quetiapine), a medication empirically supported to treat severe psychiatric disorders
among children such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which can have a strong sedative effect
for those patients without those disordersviii, is instead used at IYC-Harrisburg to treat behavioral
disorders such as conduct disorder - a disorder for which the medication has not been proven to be
effective. Seroquel use has been linked to weight gain and may double the risk of developing type 2
diabetesix by a disruption of the endocrine systemx, the system that controls the onset and course of
the hormonal processes of puberty. A studyxi in adults with schizophrenia found that long-term use
of antipsychotic medications, such as Seroquel, led to a significant decrease in brain volume.
Though this study did not include youth in their sample, we can assume that the consequences of
the use of this medication can be even more dire for youth whose brains are still developing.
Dr. Monica Michell, a child psychiatrist at Lenox Hill
Hospital at New York, stated: “For children who are not
psychotic or bipolar, these medicines [antipsychotics]
should be a last resort.”xiiAt IYC-Harrisburg antipsychotics
are being prescribed for the empirically unsupported
treatment of behavioral problems, it may appear that the
medication is effective when in reality it is not addressing a
mental health issue, rather it is the sedating effect, that
quells disruptive behavior. Unfortunately, this practice of
prescribing antipsychotics for misbehavior is not
uncommon in juvenile facilitiesxiii, but it’s continued
prescription despite lack of evidence to support it and lack
of research showing the long-term impact of its use among
children whose brains and bodies are still in development,
calls into question it’s usage across IDJJ facilitiesxiv.

Seroquel (Quetiapine), a
medication empirically
supported to treat severe
psychiatric disorders among
children such as schizophrenia
and bipolar disorder, which can
have a strong sedative effect for
those patients without those
disorders, is instead used at IYCHarrisburg to treat behavioral
disorders such as conduct
disorder.

C. Family Visits
Administrators stated that they would like to incorporate the technology utilized in telepsychiatry
for family visits. Many youth at IYC-Harrisburg come from surrounding counties in southern
Illinois, but there are a fair number of youth from Chicago. Regardless of location, family
involvement with youth is a challenge at all IDJJ facilities. Administrators also report that within the
past year, trainings have occurred for the mental health staff to improve and standardize family
therapy, by discussing some of the fundamental concepts involved and how to apply those concepts
into a correctional setting.
Given the importance of family members not only in the treatment of mental health issues and
behavioral concerns, but also in the successful transition back into the community, it is essential that
11

 youth are provided adequate family contact as is necessary for true rehabilitation. Prevailing best
practice standards dictate that contact between youth and families should be maximized to the
greatest extent possible, given the evidence that incarcerated youth who have contact with their
families have better outcomes upon release.xv We are pleased that IYC-Harrisburg prioritizes family
contact for its youth, and is trying to introduce alternatives to physical visits for those youth whose
families cannot readily come to the facility to see them due to geographic and/or financial
constraints.

D. Substance Abuse Treatment
At IYC-Harrisburg, substance abuse programming is provided by Youth Outreach Services (YOS),
who provide services for substance abuse treatment throughout IDJJ facilities. Youth who are in the
Substance Abuse housing unit are enrolled in a 90-day program which utilizes an adapted version of
the Forward Thinking curriculum. Administrators report that within the past year, youth are
required to be enrolled in the program if they obtain a high score on the Global Appraisal of
Individual Needs (GAIN) assessment, which is 1 or above. According to the GAIN manualxvi, a score
of 1 or above “indicates the need for substance abuse, dependence, and substance use disorder
treatment and, in more extreme cases, the need for detoxification or maintenance services.” Prior to
this change in enrollment criteria, youth were required to enroll in the substance abuse program if
they were ordered by the court to do so or if their GAIN score was 2 or above. Based on the current
standards of a GAIN score of 1 and above, administrators stated that “a lot of youth need
treatment.”
The substance abuse treatment program at IYCHarrisburg has the capacity to serve 25 youth, at the time
The substance abuse
of JHA’s visit in May the program was full and there were
treatment program at IYC55 youth on their waiting list. Administrators reported in
Harrisburg has the capacity
October that there was no longer a waitlist for the
program.xvii According to administrators, a youth’s
to serve 25 youth, and the
enrollment is not prioritized based on the severity of his
program is currently full
substance use, but rather on the youth’s release date.
with 55 youth on their
When youth are sentenced to state custody they receive
waiting list.
indeterminate sentences. Thus, their release is contingent
upon being deemed rehabilitated rather than upon their
completing a specific sentence, although youths’ target
release dates are determined upon their admission to IDJJ. The purpose of prioritizing youth’s
enrollment in the substance abuse treatment based on release date is so that youth are not forced to
stay in custody beyond their release date solely to complete the program. However, it was reported
that 3-4 youth were held beyond their release date in the past year in order to complete substance
abuse treatment.
12

 JHA believes that to prolong incarceration on these grounds is arbitrary, overly punitive and
needlessly exposes youth to the trauma and harm of extended incarceration (separation from family,
reduced educational opportunities, social, emotional and psychological deterioration), when
community-based substance abuse programs are available to youth upon their release. Such a
policy also runs contrary to Illinois law which provides that delinquent youth must be placed in the
least-restrictive environment capable of meeting their needs and public safetyxviii. The benefit of
enrollment in the substance abuse program, however, is that once a youth completes the program,
this initiates a release review meeting whereby administrators and staff examine the youth’s
progress in the facility to determine if s/he is eligible for release.
To address the wait list for those youth who are also required to participate in other programs in
addition to substance abuse programming, IDJJ issued a directive in February 2018 to minimize the
wait list for substance abuse treatment by providing alternative, accelerated substance abuse
programming for youth who fall into four categories. The first category includes youth who have
violated aftercare but who previously completed the substance abuse curriculum. Rather than
requiring these youth to repeat the full 90-day program, these youth instead are offered an
abbreviated 4-week substance abuse program. The second category is for youth whose GAIN
assessment indicates that they qualify for relapse prevention. These youth must complete 10
sessions of substance abuse treatment. The third category, youth in the Juvenile Sex Offender
treatment program, are allowed to participate in a modified substance abuse treatment lasting 8
weeks. Finally, youth in the fourth category, who are unable to participate in the standard substance
abuse treatment program because of mental health issues, severe learning disabilities, or due to their
posing safety or security issues in the facility, among other reasons, are offered a 24- session
substance abuse program that lasts for 8 weeks.
JHA commends IDJJ’s attempts to decrease the wait list
and expedite youth into the substance abuse program to
reduce the risk of delaying youths’ release dates. IYCHarrisburg administrators report that expediting the
program does not diminish the program’s effectiveness. If
this is the case, however, it begs the question why the
entire substance abuse program cannot be accelerated and
expedited in a similar fashion for all youth, rather than just
for those youth who fall into the categories articulated
above. Providing a shortened substance abuse program to
all youth could benefit youth who are on the wait list and whose release date may be unfairly
delayed due to their inability to timely enroll in and complete a 90-day program.
Providing a shortened substance
abuse program to all youth could
benefit youth who are on the
wait list and whose release date
may be unfairly delayed due to
their inability to timely enroll in
and complete a 90-day program.

Another consideration in the structure of substance abuse treatment inside IDJJ facilities is
reevaluation of who really requires this intervention. In our discussion with administrators, they
13

 reported that a majority of youth are primarily using marijuana, alcohol, and some are reporting
methamphetamine abuse. In examining the data across IDJJ facilities, the primary substance abused
among youth who were engaged in substance use treatment has remained overall constant over the
past year, with on average 83.4% using marijuana, 5.3% using alcohol, and 8.3% using “other
drugs.” According to the Monitoring the Future study, the longest-running project examining
substance use among adolescents, 45% of youth in the 12th grade in 2017 have reported using
marijuanaxix, which is second to alcohol in abused substances.
The frequency of use among both groups highlights the importance of triaging youth based on the
severity of the substance use, and reverting back to the enrollment criteria of a GAIN score of 2 and
above, compared to a GAIN score of 1 and above. By adjusting the enrollment criteria, fewer youth
who may not need treatment would be enrolled in the program. Substance use can, at times, be
adaptive for youth who live in stressful or trauma-invoking situations. Though JHA does not
condone the use of illegal substances among adolescents, we, as well as mental health providers,
understand its use by youth who do not have ready access to mental health treatment or other
means to escape toxic environments.

Behavioral Management Reforms:
Level System and PBIS
After observing positive results from the application of the Positive Behavioral Interventions &
Supports (PBIS) program (see text box) in the school settings of both IYC Harrisburg and IYC St.
Charles, IDJJ officially began the implementation of PBIS at all IYCs in 2014xx.
IDJJ’s implementation of PBIS in 2014 expanded to
PBIS is a behavioral
include all youth performance and behavior in the
management strategy based
facilities. According to IDJJ documentation on PBIS, each
on providing incentives for
day is segmented into fourteen periods, and youth earn
good behavior as opposed to
points throughout the day for good behavior. At the end
of each of the fourteen hourly periods, the youth’s
concentrating efforts on
supervising staff are to notify the youth of the amount of
negative consequences for
points earned and the justifications for them. Youth may
bad behavior.
earn up to two points in each of these periods. During
these discussions with staff and youth, it is intended that
A key component of this
the staff focus on youth’s positive behavior. The amount
program is offering incentives
of points earned throughout the week determines a
that are both achievable and
youth’s behavioral level, which correlates with differing
desirable to the population to
levels of privileges.

which they are offered.

14

 Youth can be placed on one of four levels, with level 3 being the lowest level and the level to which
all incoming youth at the facility are assigned, and Honors level being the highest. A youth’s points
earned during the week determine their level for the subsequent week. Points dictate how many
commissary items youth can purchase at the facility. Points earned through PBIS can also be
redeemed at the PBIS store.
In theory, the model of PBIS, if adopted by staff, will change the culture of the institution whereby
staff focuses on a youth’s strengths and positive behaviors and an atmosphere of mutual caring and
respect is created. The documentation on PBIS does not address the use of restraints or solitary
confinement, nor does it appropriately address problematic or disruptive behaviors that cannot be
controlled through the loss of points. An additional policy of youth interventions has been enacted
to address those youth who may need a coordinated team effort to manage behavior. Youth who
are designated as requiring “targeted” or “intensive” interventions are discussed in multidisciplinary
staffing meetings where an intervention plan is assigned for the specific youth and implemented.
According to IDJJ policy, these interventions may include the following: more individualized,
personally-tailored incentives and goals, the exploration of alternative responses to discipline, the
creation of a behavior plan reflecting personalized goals, strategies, and staff responses to specific
youth behavior, criteria for assessing that specific youth’s progress, and placement in a specialized
housing unit. A youth’s progress during these interventions is discussed in follow up meetings.
Concerning the implementation of PBIS at IYC-Harrisburg, administrators report that they are
following the protocols with fidelity to the model laid out by IDJJ. They report that while staff are
following the PBIS procedures, a “culture change” throughout
the facility extending to all staff members has not yet occurred,
They report that while staff are
as evidenced by the fact that some disgruntled staff have
following the PBIS procedures, a
individually pursued new criminal charges against youth for
“culture change” throughout the
misconduct that occurred inside the facility. Administrators
facility extending to all staff
note that some staff maintain the previous mindset inherited
members has not yet occurred.
from when IYC-Harrisburg was part of the Illinois Department
of Corrections, and focused on adult punishment and control
to exclusion of adolescent rehabilitation, development, and behavior modification. One of the key
underlying components of PBIS is the relationship between staff and youth, exemplified in the daily
staff-and-youth discussions where the staff assigns the youth points and discusses her/his decision
with the youth. Administrators report that these discussions are occurring inconsistently, which
frustrates youth because they would like to know their status with regard to points. Despite this
challenge, administrators report that the program is going well overall, and that youth and staff all
understand its components and procedures. According to the staff, “It [PBIS] drives the facility.”

15

 As one of the first IDJJ institutions to implement PBIS, IYC-Harrisburg administrators have had the
opportunity to make some pointed observations about its
[IYC-Harrisburg] are
effectiveness, strengths, and limitations. First, they noted that
after a particular age, youth are not influenced by either
receiving many more youth
points or positive rewards. Incentives seem to work, in their
with serious violent
experience, with a younger population. In addition to the
offenses, who have
challenges of receptiveness to PBIS based on age, the
behavioral problems in the
administrators also report that they are receiving many more
facility, and who reportedly
youth with serious violent offenses, who have behavioral
are less receptive to PBIS.
problems in the facility, and who reportedly are less receptive
to PBIS.
For those youth who have not been receptive to PBIS to manage behavior, administrators state that
they have used an alternative approach, such as the “targeted” or “intensive” interventions. A
youth’s progress during these interventions is discussed in the staffing meetings. A de-identified
intensive intervention plan was provided to JHA for review, which included an analysis of the
problematic behaviors, and then provided a plan to address the behaviors. In the intervention plan,
the problematic behaviors were identified as assaults and impulsivity, which were preceded by
conflicts with youth and staff. The intervention plan instructed the youth to write in a journal when
the youth engaged in thoughts or behaviors which may relate to assaults and impulsivity, and these
journal entries would be reviewed by their Youth and Family Specialist (YFS) case worker. JHA was
not informed about the effectiveness of this intervention in this instance. However, the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSHA) review of empirically supported
interventions for disruptive behavior disorders that include symptoms of aggression and
impulsiveness does not include journaling as an appropriate interventionxxi. Administrators report
that the targeted and intensive interventions are an area where more focus needs to be placed as an
institution. Inherently, these interventions require much planning and coordination to implement,
and if many youth are on targeted or intensive interventions, this creates a great deal of work for
staff. In a system that is already overburdened given lack of staffing and extensive overtime, this
creates challenges in increasing attention and resources for interventions and staffings.
Administrators suggested that ideally, youth with more problematic or disruptive behaviors should
be moved to smaller facilities, such as the neighboring facility Pere Marquette, where they can
receive individualized attention and support. However, Pere Marquette and smaller facilities in IDJJ
are typically used to house the lower-risk, well-behaved youth. Research shows that decentralized,
small, community-based secure treatment centers that provide intensive, individualized services
offer the greatest opportunity for help and rehabilitation for the small portion of the juvenile
population that are violent and present a risk to public safety.xxii While IDJJ has made substantial
improvements over the last decade, it still remains tethered to an outmoded model of juvenile
justice in that the most troubled, traumatized, aggressive youth in the juvenile justice system
continue to be housed in large IDJJ facilities far from home and family where intensive, personalized
16

 attention, services and interventions are simply not feasible. In developing the targeted and
intensive interventions, administrators report that the team makes an effort to understand the
immediate context of the behavior, such as those
IDJJ still remains tethered to an
influences in the facility, including peers and life events
outmoded model of juvenile
occurring outside of the facility. They also take a “traumajustice in that the most troubled,
informed” approach, whereby they try to understand the
traumatized, aggressive youth in
connection between a youth’s history of trauma on their
the juvenile justice system
current disruptive behavior. JHA applauds the efforts of
continue to be housed in large
IYC-Harrisburg staff to understand the true motivation of
IDJJ facilities far from home and
an adolescent’s disruptive behavior, and in their attempts
family where intensive,
to address it through effective tailored interventions
personalized attention, services
despite challenges in staffing.
and interventions are simply not
feasible.
Prior to the entry of a consent decree and court-ordered
reform of IDJJ resulting from the RJ v. Mueller litigation,
youth misbehavior was often responded to through use of
solitary confinement.xxiii Youth would be placed in a secure room for a period of days, with limited
access to recreation, socialization, programming, showers and phone calls. This practice is still
commonplace in many adult facilities. For youth, whose brains are still in development, there is
documented evidence that solitary confinement has a profoundly deleterious impact on youth and
can lead to a host of negative consequences. Specifically, the American Psychological Association
reports that youth in solitary confinement are at increased risk of self-mutilation and suicidal
ideation; experience greater anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, paranoia, and aggression;
experience an exacerbation of the onset of pre-existing mental illness and trauma symptoms; and are
at increased risk of cardiovascular problemsxxiv. As a result of these findings and in conjunction with
reforms put in place by the consent decree, IDJJ implemented alternative consequences to solitary
confinement in response to disruptive behavior. As discussed above, the Department’s approach
utilized the PBIS behavioral management system as well as a system of graduated sanctions,
stopping short of putting youth in isolation as a punitive measure. There are certain circumstances
where limited isolation of youth still occurs inside IDJJ facilities, such as during pending
investigations into misconduct and when youth are in a state of crisis, but protocols exist to ensure
that youth in this status are routinely checked on by mental health staff.

17

 The adoption of PBIS in facilities such as IYC-Harrisburg has been gradual, and administrators
report that several personnel are resistant to the removal of solitary confinement as a primary
means of controlling behavior. They also report that staff see PBIS as largely ineffective because it
does not punish youth, but rather focuses on enhancing
motivation for positive behaviors. In an interview with the
Staff see PBIS as largely
Southern Illinoisanxxv, a correctional officer at IYCineffective because it does
Harrisburg stated that youth “can get a staff assault and
not punish youth, but rather
virtually get nothing out of it.” If time is added to the
focuses on enhancing
youth’s length of stay to punish him for the assault, the staff
member reported that youth are quickly able to earn the
motivation for positive
time back off of their stay through good behavior: “So, I can
behaviors.
punch you in the head, and two weeks later earn that all
back.”
Because some staff believe that youth misconduct goes unpunished in the absence of solitary
confinement, some staff have taken to filing complaints with the police and seeking to criminally
prosecute youth for minor altercations that occur within the facility. Over the past two years, staff,
in their capacity as private citizens, have “walked in” or pressed charges against youth for alleged
assaultive behavior by going directly to local law enforcement and reporting the in-facility behavior.
Saline County State’s Attorney, Jayson Clark - who is seeking to be elected Saline County State’s
Attorney in the upcoming 2018 election, and recently received the endorsement of AFSCME, the
union which represents correctional officers at IYC- Harrisburg and is a powerful voting bloc in the
county - has continued the policy of his predecessor, State’s Attorney Michael Henshaw, of bringing
formal charges and pursuing criminal prosecution of youth for trivial offenses, such as spitting on or
shoving past an IYC- Harrisburg staff member, to placate staff complaints that youth are not being
effectively disciplined without solitary confinement. xxvi
In the context of the RJ v. Mueller litigation, serious ethical
concerns have been raised that the prosecutions are
In the context of the RJ v.
selectively and politically motivated, and that youth so
Mueller litigation, serious ethical
charged are being deprived of basic constitutional
concerns have been raised that
protections of due process and effective assistance of
the prosecutions are selectively
counsel in the Saline County Courts. xxvii Most of the youth
and politically motivated, and
are charged with adult offenses for incidents that occurred
that youth so charged are being
within the facility. These adult charges carry with them the
deprived of basic constitutional
threat of harsh adult prison sentences that are grossly
protections of due process and
disproportionate to the underlying misconduct. To
effective assistance of counsel in
illustrate, a youth was convicted of aggravated battery of a
the Saline County Courts.
correctional officer and sentenced to 6 years in an adult
prison because he spit on a correctional officer when he was
18 while committed as a juvenile at IYC- Harrisburg.xxviii In addition, because staff are acting as
18

 private citizens when they report youth misconduct to local law enforcement, and do not notify
facility administrators of their actions, administrators frequently are unaware of the new charges
until a warrant is issued for a youth in the facility. JHA also was disturbed by reports that some
staff’s bitterness and frustration with administration over changes in IDJJ disciplinary policies have
transferred into feelings of personal vindictiveness towards youth. For instance, JHA received a
report that a staff member reported a youth to the police for criminal charges, withheld this fact
from the youth in daily interactions and went so far as to make recommendations for the youth’s
release during review hearings with the knowledge that the youth would be arrested and taken into
custody in Saline County immediately after his release. JHA cannot verify this account, however the
large number of IYC Harrisburg youth facing new criminal charges due to in-facility behavior serves
to illustrate this point.
Administrators report that only a small group of approximately 5 to 7 staff are responsible for
personally filing criminal complaints against youth. IDJJ administration has stated that they do not
support the practice of staff individually filing criminal complaints against youth. Rather, IDJJ
follows a policy of referring matters to the police for
filing a formal criminal complaint against youth when
Since late 2015, when JHA
serious violence or injury to staff occur. Since late 2015,
reported that this practice
when JHA reported that this practice originally
startedxxix, approximately twenty youth have faced adult
originally started,
prosecutions, resulting in 14 youth being sentenced
approximately twenty youth
while 6 youth have pending casesxxx

have faced adult
prosecutions, resulting in 14
youth being sentenced while
6 youth have pending cases

JHA believes that the practice of some staff personally
bringing criminal complaints against youth in their
capacity as individual civilians is unfair,
counterproductive, and undermines correctional chain of
command and consistency, which are essential to
institutional safety. This practice also points to a breakdown in communication, organization, and
trust between staff who take a harsh, punitive view of juvenile justice and IDJJ administrators, who
are working to bring Harrisburg in line with modern juvenile justice standards that focus on
changing youth behavior through trauma-informed, rehabilitative interventions. As JHA has stated
when the criminal complaints beganxxxi, IDJJ has a responsibility to create policies and institute
practices that maintain the safety of youth and staff. If this is not happening, then further
modifications to policy, training, or other changes are needed with feedback and collaboration from
staff.
JHA received an alarming number of reports from youth of abuse and harmful treatment at the
hands of correctional staff at IYC- Harrisburg. No youth whom JHA spoke with during our visit to
IYC- Harrisburg reported any staff mistreatment. This lack of any complaints was itself troubling
because youth at every facility generally raise some complaints about staff conduct during JHA
19

 monitoring visits, even if related to trivial matters. During our visits to other facilities, however,
youth who were formerly housed at IYC-Harrisburg but recently transferred to another facility
spoke freely with JHA about experiences with staff misconduct at Harrisburg.
One youth stated that correctional offers at the facility encourage youth to fight each other, and
when fights do occur, staff members routinely do not intervene. Another youth noted that
correctional staff are “abusive,” stating that youth are assaulted by staff when no one is looking and
when out of the view of cameras.
Youth who were originally at IYC-Harrisburg and then transferred to other facilities, also shared
more specific incidents of mistreatment that occurred at IYC-Harrisburg. One youth reported that
following a fight, a youth, who had already submitted to correctional officers’ commands and was
subdued and on the ground, was approached by a correctional officer who sprayed the youth
directly in the face with pepper spray. Another youth observed a correctional officer slam a youth’s
head into a water fountain faucet while he was drinking
water, which caused injury and bleeding. Another youth
Another youth observed a
stated that during an altercation between two youth, one
correctional officer slam a
of the youth refused to submit because the other youth
youth’s head into a water
was being physically assaulted by staff and the youth
fountain faucet while he was
wanted to defend him. When the youth finally did submit
drinking water, which caused
to correctional officer commands by laying face-down on
injury and bleeding.
the ground on his stomach, a correctional officer picked
up his head and hit his face into the floor repeatedly.
Finally, a youth who refused to get his fingers out of the “chuck hole” (a rectangular slot in a cell
door) had his fingers smashed by the door by a correctional officer, leading to the youth’s fingertip
being cut and severed. JHA was informed from an outside source that following the injury, the
youth’s pleas for assistance were ignored for fifteen minutes, and he only received medical attention
after other youth in the unit began yelling and banging on the doors. IDJJ administration reported
that this incident has been referred for external review.
It should be noted that these accounts were provided independently and voluntarily by youth who
were housed at the facility at one point in the past year. It should also be noted that some of the
stories they shared with us have been corroborated by multiple parties from different parts of the
criminal justice system. It is also noteworthy that transferred youth were able to discuss instances of
physical abuse, yet no youth at the facility reported mistreatment.

20

 Education
Administrators report that in the 2017 school year, IYC-Harrisburg had 30 high school graduates, 24
youth passed their GED exam (General Education Development - a High School Equivalency
Diploma program), and 12 youth earned their 8th grade diploma. There were two teaching staff
vacancies at the time of the JHA visit; one in regular education and one special education teacher.
Despite these vacancies, the school was in full operation at the time of the visit. In observing the
school, which was housed in the same building as the administrative offices, the classrooms
appeared orderly and quiet. Security guards were stationed outside of the school area, as opposed to
standing watch in the individual classrooms.
Throughout IDJJ facilities, students learn through a blended learning model of instruction, which
includes online-based instruction coupled with teaching staff who provide academic support. IDJJ
currently uses the Pearson Connexus online learning programxxxii, which is an accredited program
for students to earn transferrable credits. Under this program, credits earned by youth in the facility
go towards earning their high school diploma from schools in any Illinois public school district,
including school district 428 which serves all of the IDJJ facilities. Because this program is primarily
online-based, the instruction is tailored to the individual’s academic progress within each subject
area. As a result, IYC-Harrisburg teachers may have a classroom of students in a subject area, but
the individual students may be working at entirely different grade levels. As the teachers assist the
students, they must tailor their support to these various grade levels which requires great dexterity
and creativity by the teachers.
The students appeared active and engaged in the Pearson Connexus system. Teachers were
observed being engaged with students and provided individualized instruction for youth as needed.

21

 In addition to the classrooms dedicated to subject level instruction, the school at IYC-Harrisburg
also had a room for youth who have behavioral issues or who may need a quiet space to complete
testing. This room serves as a “cool down” room for youth to privately work on their course work
or testing outside of the presence of potentially distracting peers. The principal noted that this room
is used as an alternative to disciplinary action for youth
The principal noted that, in
who are disruptive. JHA appreciates the use of
alternatives to confinement and other forms of
addition to rewards provided
punishment in the management of youth’s behavior in
through PBIS, they have
the school. IYC-Harrisburg’s focus on redirecting and
created rewards for youth who
containing behavior while providing youth with
are well behaved during a
opportunities to continue their education is important for
particular period of time. These
youth rehabilitation and for moving the facility forward
youth are recognized as being
and away from punitive responses. The principal noted
that, in addition to rewards provided through PBIS, they
“Cool in School,” and are
have created rewards for youth who are well behaved
provided with several
during a particular period of time. These youth are
incentives including food and
recognized as being “Cool in School,” and are provided
access to video games.
with several incentives including food and access to video
games. These incentives, coupled with PBIS, have helped
minimize behavioral disruptions in the school.
The lower level of the school houses the instruction rooms for vocational programming in custodial
management and carpentry. JHA observed each of these rooms, and in the custodial management
classroom, instruction was taking place. The teacher was observed actively engaged with students
while discussing the course material, and students appeared to be focused on the course content. As
mentioned earlier in this report, the culinary arts program employs and trains a number of youth in
the institution, and it was reported that the horticulture program has begun starting June 2018, after
the JHA visit. We look forward to seeing the horticulture program in full operation on our next
visit.

22

 ###
This report was written by JHA staff. Media inquiries should be directed to JHA’s Executive Director,
Jennifer Vollen-Katz, at (312) 291-9555 – extension 205, or jvollen@thejha.org
Inmates may send privileged mail to JHA, P. O. Box 10042, Chicago, IL 60610-0042
Since 1901, JHA has provided public oversight of Illinois’ juvenile and adult correctional facilities.
Every year, JHA staff and trained volunteers inspect prisons, jails, and detention centers throughout
the state. Based on these inspections, JHA regularly issues reports that are instrumental in
improving prison conditions.
The preparation of this report was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation

The John Howard Association was the proud recipient of the 2015
MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions

23

 i

In preparation of this report, JHA asked multiple sources for the most updated information, including IDJJ
administrative staff, IYC-Harrisburg staff, as well as other organizations whom are familiar or involved with the
youth who have been charged with adult offenses. The data presented here is an approximation based on the
available data.
ii

https://www.areavibes.com/harrisburg-il/demographics/

iii

Transference and Counter-Transference explained here:
https://www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1979
iv

Lynch, Margaret McCoy, "Factors Influencing Successful Psychotherapy Outcomes" (2012).Master of Social Work Clinical
Research Papers. Paper 57. http://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/57
v

Rey JM (Editor). IACAPAP e-Textbook of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Geneva: International Association
for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions 2012.
vi

See more information at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mentalhealth/antidepressant-medications-for-children-and-adolescents-information-for-parents-and-caregivers.shtml
vii

Reeves and Ladner, “Antidepressant-induced suicidality: an update,” CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 16(4):
227-34.
viii

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/seroquel-side-effects.html

ix

http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/26/why-children-and-the-elderly-are-so-drugged-up-on-antipsychotics/

x

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/seroquel-side-effects.html

xi

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21300943

xii

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-antipsychotics-children/antipsychotics-cause-rapid-weight-gain-in-youthidUSTRE59Q4Q920091028
xiii

http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/26/why-children-and-the-elderly-are-so-drugged-up-on-antipsychotics/

xiv

After reviewing a draft of this report with IDJJ administration, they reported that the current medication
initiatives at IYC-Harrisburg include:
1. Decrease use of antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents. For youth with conduct (i.e. “behavioral”) problems
(such as Conduct Disorder), these agents should only be used if there is a significant appropriate comorbid
mental disorder. Even then, other drug categories should be considered first before going to an
antipsychotic. In general, atypical antipsychotics should be used over first generation antipsychotics.
2. In particular, Seroquel prescriptions should decrease significantly. Sleep issues should be addressed first
by non-psychopharmacologic agents.
3. Stimulants should be considered in youngsters with ADHD. Vyvanse should be considered instead of
Adderall.
4. SSRIs use should increase, particularly for new diagnoses of DMDD. Treatment providers need to be
observant for potential activation side effect.
xv

Models for Change, “Family Involvement in Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System,” (2009), available at:
http://www.pachiefprobationofficers.org/docs/Family%20Involvement%20Monograph.pdf; Joan Pennell, Carol

24

 Shapiro, Carol Spigner, Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University, “Safety, Fairness, Stability:
Repositioning Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare to Engage Families and Communities,” available at:
http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pdfs/famengagement/FamilyEngagementPaper.pdf; Vera Institute of Justice, “Setting
an Agenda for Family-Focused Justice Reform,” (2011), available at: http://www.vera.org/files/FJP-advisory-boardreport-v6.pdf
xvi

Available for download at: https://www.assessments.com/assessments_documentation/gain_ss/GAINSS%20Manual.pdf
xvii

After reviewing the draft of this report with IDJJ, they noted that as of October 22nd, 2018, there are no youth
on the waiting list who are not on track to start and finish the program before their target release date.
Additionally, they report that since April 2018, IDJJ’s Substance Abuse Manager has reviewed youth being placed
into substance abuse programming to ensure they have sufficient time to finish the program before their Target
Release Date. They have allowed a number of youth to obtain treatment in the community if they did not have
time to complete the program while in IDJJ custody.
xviiixviii

705 ILCS 405/5-750, available at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=070504050K5-

750
xix

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Various Drugs.”
Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-future-study-trendsin-prevalence-various-drugs
xx

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, “Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Annual Report,” (2014), available
athttps://www2.illinois.gov/idjj/Documents/2014_12_01_DJJAnnual%20Report_Final(4).pdf
xxi

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Evidence-Based and Promising Practices:
Interventions for Disruptive Behavioral Disorders.” Available at: https://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA114634CD-DVD/EBPsPromisingPractices-IDBD.pdf
xxii

Annie E. Casey Foundation, “The Missouri Model: Reinventing the Practice of Rehabilitating Youthful Offenders”
(2010), https://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-MissouriModelFullreport-2010.pdf;
Shelley Zavlek, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, “Planning
Community-Based Facilities for Violent Juvenile Offenders as Part of a System of Graduated Sanctions,” (2005),
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/209326.pdf
xxiii

In 2012, the American Civil Liberties Union, representing all youth residing in IDJJ facilities, filed a class action
lawsuit (RJ v. Mueller, Case. 12-CV-07289 (N. D. Ill.) against IDJJ seeking improvements in mental health; education;
and, conditions of confinement. A consent decree was ordered by the federal court in April 2014. Under the
supervision of the federal court and court-appointed monitors, IDJJ is still in the process of implementing reforms
required under a remedial plan: https://www.aclu-il.org/en/cases/rj-v-jones
xxiv

American Psychological Association. “Solitary Confinement of Juvenile Offenders.” Available at:
https://www.apa.org/advocacy/criminal-justice/solitary.pdf
xxv

https://thesouthern.com/news/local/communities/harrisburg/citing-lack-of-discipline-for-bad-acts-harrisburgiyc-staff/article_dd093a41-a379-51f2-9729-1b834069795e.html
xxvi

Duaa Eldeib, The Southern, “For some youths at Harrisburg IYC, ‘minor’ offenses lead to major sentences in
adult prison,“ (Oct 29, 2017); https://thesouthern.com/news/local/for-some-youths-at-harrisburg-iyc-minoroffenses-lead-to/article_2e894725-0a20-5973-903d-b2dd59e7f2ba.html; AFSCME endorsements: 2018 general
election (August 20, 2018): http://www.afscme31.org/news/afscme-endorsements-2018-general-election; RJ v.
Mueller, Plaintiff’s Motion to Enforce, Case: 1:12-cv-07289, Document #: 202 (N.D. Ill. 7/17/17),

25

 https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://wsil.images.worldnow.com/library/484ed951-0400-46e59065-242282492c8c.pdf
xxvii

RJ v. Mueller, Plaintiff’s Motion to Enforce, Case: 1:12-cv-07289, Document #: 202 (N.D. Ill. 7/17/17),
https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://wsil.images.worldnow.com/library/484ed951-0400-46e59065-242282492c8c.pdf
xxviii

The Southern, “ IYC-Harrisburg inmate sentenced to six years in state prison for spitting on guard” ( august 4,
2016), https://thesouthern.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/iyc-harrisburg-inmate-sentenced-to-six-years-instate-prison/article_cefe0094-97e0-5a2e-aca0-3ee6542be807.html
xxix

http://www.thejha.org/statement071817

xxx

In preparation of this report, JHA asked multiple sources for the most updated information, including IDJJ
administrative staff, IYC-Harrisburg staff, as well as other organizations whom are familiar or involved with the
youth who have been charged with adult offenses. The data presented here is an approximation based on the
available data.
xxxi

http://www.thejha.org/statement071817

xxxii

Learn more at: https://www.pearson.com/us/prek-12/products-services-teaching/online-blended-learningsolutions/pearson-connexus.html

26