(SPRINGFIELD, IL)— A new report released today at a press conference by the John Howard Association of Illinois finds that Illinois Department of Corrections has failed to fix problems that have led to severe abuse at Tamms Supermax Prison.
The report calls for legislation to require timely and comprehensive treatment for mentally ill prisoners who are routinely denied effective care, and the impact of the supermax’s 24-hour solitary confinement regime may worsen their condition.
These and other findings were presented at a press conference today with State Representatives Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Representative Eddie Washington (D-Waukegan), and other reform advocates.
Malcolm Young
Today, legislators and reformers met to discuss conditions and policies at Tamms Supermax Prison—a “supermaximum security” prison in southern Illinois where current prisoners are sent for extra punishment.
Reformers are hoping that these discussions will lead to the immediate removal of the mentally ill prisoners, transfer reviews for all inmates, and changes in law, including regulations about why someone is sent to the supermax, for how long, and how they can earn their way out.
“At Tamms, prisoners are confined to their cells 23-24 hours per day, food is served in the cell, there are no programs or activities, phone calls are prohibited, and prisoners often hear nothing but constant screaming or banging, “ said Malcom Young, Executive Director.
The prison was intended for short-term incarceration (1-2 years) during which time prisoners are in permanent solitary confinement. However, 88 men have been at Tamms since the prison opened 10 years ago and are being held indefinitely.
Rep. Hamos, sponsor of legislation to reform Tamms, has called for “greater accountability from the Department of Corrections, clear criteria for transferring prisoners to Tamms, and limits to their time there.”
Her legislation, Supermax Reform Bill (HB 6651) specifies that only prisoners who harm others or are seriously disruptive would be sent to the supermax, and then for no longer than a year, with a few exceptions. It calls for prisoners to be informed why they are sent to Tamms and be given a fair hearing. In would also ensure that seriously mentally ill prisoners are not sent there, and that those who develop serious mental illnesses be transferred out.
Nationally, supermax prisons are on the decline with some closing or converting to regular maximum security prisons due to questions of effectiveness on permanent solitary confinement, as well as the high costs. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the average annual cost of housing a prisoner at Tamms is two to three times as much as any other adult prison in Illinois.
Filed under: Illinois Department of Corrections, Tamms Supermax | Tagged: John Howard Association, Malcolm Young, Rep Eddie Washington, Rep Julie Hamos, Tamms Supermax
