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Under the leadership of Acting Director Rob Jeffreys, the Department is developing new procedures and proposing amendments to the Illinois Administrative Code that would streamline the grievance process.
A top priority is the development of a streamlined appeals process for men and women in custody who request their grievance be re-reviewed.
The Department created a new position, Chief Inspector, and is actively seeking qualified candidates. The Chief Inspector will oversee the statewide grievance system, supervise facility inspectors, and make appropriate policy changes.
On November 1, the Department announced its new Chief Public Safety Legal Counsel, Kelly Presley, who will work in conjunction with the Chief Inspector and provide legal oversight of the grievance process.
IDOC’s Chief Inspector will also manage the Department’s transition to electronic grievances. Currently, each facility is responsible for implementing its own system to track grievances.
Updated technology will streamline the reporting of grievance data, which will ensure accuracy and increase efficiency for responding to complaints. The Department can then analyze the data, identify trends and make systemwide improvements.
IDOC is instituting a unit management system for the operation of its facilities. This team setting creates greater contact between counselors, security staff, and the incarcerated population thus increasing opportunities for communication.
A goal of the unit management approach is to improve the Department’s responsiveness to the concerns of the people in IDOC facilities and reduce the number of grievances filed. Unit management is currently being piloted at Pontiac, Western Illinois, and Taylorville.
The operation of a fair and consistent grievance process is a high priority for the Department, and we are working diligently to improve the current system.
Through the implementation of significant reforms and an increase in oversight, we can ensure the concerns of men and women in custody are addressed in a timely manner.
