The Illinois Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 outlines a comprehensive framework to enhance criminal justice practices in Illinois. The plan emphasizes evidence-based strategies to address key issues within the justice system. The strategic plan was developed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement, judiciary, public health, and community organizations. Key priorities in the plan include addressing mental health and substance use disorders among justice-involved individuals; reducing violent and firearm-related crimes; and supporting victims and witnesses of crime. Additionally, the plan aims to improve criminal justice planning, data analysis, and the integration of technology to enhance data capture and sharing. The plan also emphasizes the importance of supporting public defense services and addressing housing needs for those involved with the justice system. The strategic planning process involved analyzing crime data, reviewing past funding allocations, and incorporating stakeholder feedback through surveys and listening sessions. The plan will guide the allocation of JAG funds to effectively support state and local initiatives to improve justice outcomes, advance system reforms, promote racial equity, and support underserved communities in Illinois.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is required by both Illinois state legislation (730 ILCS 210/3-5) and federal legislation (34 U.S.C. § 60105) to collect, report, and publish specific data on deaths that occur among individuals in the custody of Illinois local and state law enforcement agencies or as a result of an officer’s use of force. This report summarizes the relevant trends related to Illinois in-custody deaths through the 2023 calendar year.

There are over 3 million persons on probation in this country and many struggle with both maintaining recovery from substance use disorders and obtaining secure housing. However, stable housing for those on probation in recovery can potentially reduce relapse and recidivism. We examined recovery housing needs from the perspectives of probation supervisors and clients of Cook County Adult Probation. We administered surveys to probation supervisors and interviewed three clients in recovery as case studies. We learned probation supervisors are in need of further housing training and resources to aid clients in recovery. Clients reported unemployment and a lack of assistance in obtaining affordable housing. We recommend probation departments improve collaboration with housing service providers; obtain training on housing; and utilize recovery housing resources to better serve their clients.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is required by both Illinois state legislation (730 ILCS 210/) and federal legislation (34 U.S.C. § 60105) to collect, report, and publish specific data on deaths that occur among individuals in custody of Illinois local and state law enforcement agencies or as a result of an officer’s use of force. This report summarizes the relevant trends related to Illinois in-custody deaths through the 2022 calendar year.

Over 20 million Americans have substance use disorders and many are in need of treatment and other social services. Police often encounter persons with behavioral health needs and can deflect, or refer, individuals to service providers without making an arrest. This evaluation examined the action planning process of a police-based deflection program in seven counties located in southern Illinois. Action planning is a guided process to engage community stakeholders in the development of a program and establish goals and objectives. Overall, based on surveys, participants agreed the group succeeded in defining their local problems, collaborating as a group, but noted low community participation. We offered suggestions for future action planning and program development including increasing participation and engagement, as well as enhancing how goals are established.

Over 1 million Americans are victims of violent crime each year and many need assistance. Police often encounter victims and can deflect, or refer, individuals to treatment and services and away from emergency department care, crisis services, and potential justice system involvement. This evaluation examined the virtual action planning process of a police-led deflection program in East St. Louis, Illinois. Action planning is a way to increase community engagement, as well as develop and plan ways to achieve program goals and objectives. We sought to examine the action planning process and document participation of law enforcement and community stakeholders. Participants discussed community issues, needs, collaboration, and resources, as well as program structure, design, and implementation which culminated in an action plan document. Overall, based on surveys, participants were pleased with, and supportive of, the action planning process and the program. We offered recommendations to increase engagement and understanding, expand participation, and create measurable objectives.

Law enforcement-led deflection programs redirect individuals with behavioral health or other needs to treatment and services. The field of deflection is still relatively new and practitioners are still developing best practices to train program staff and stakeholders. We evaluated the Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Deflection Academy, a five-day training program on effective ways to offer deflection services in the community. The evaluation was designed to gather information on training activities and participants, measure knowledge gains, and solicit participant feedback. We conducted field observations and administered surveys, including a pre- and post-training test. The findings suggested participants found role-play activities to be helpful and that participants increased their deflection-related knowledge. We recommended partnering with local subject matter experts, providing additional training on domestic violence and client data privacy, and covering topics most germane to the programs and its clients.

The nature of police work may at times involve stressful situations such as the threat of, and actual, physical harm and witnessing the human toll of violence. The stress of the job combined with organizational stressors may severely impact police officers and their work. Stress can lead to substance misuse and disorders, trauma, and suicide. Police departments can address officer stress through interventions, such as counseling, peer support groups, and stress management training. This article summarizes literature on the effects of police officer stress and trauma. Police officers that embrace active coping styles may be better able to handle stress.

Due to the intense nature of police work, officers may experience stress-related psychological health problems. Mental health stigmas, masculine police culture that is aversive to change, fears of lack of confidentiality, and time commitment concerns create barriers to police willingness to seek treatment for stress-related issues. Nevertheless, many departments provide services to address these issues, such as counseling, peer support, and critical incident stress debriefing. In addition, police training helps officers recognize symptoms of stress and develop resilience to stress. Research shows officers are more likely to seek treatment when they feel encouraged and supported by their departments, so it is important to cultivate a police environment that does not stigmatize mental health.

In this study, researchers analyzed Illinois jail and prison deaths that occurred between January 2020 and February 2021 to determine COVID-19 mortality among incarcerated populations pre-vaccine availability. They found over 40% of the 242 deaths occurring in Illinois correctional facilities during that time were COVID-19-related. Most of these deaths occurred in prisons, with seven of the state’s 28 prisons accounting for over half of them. The rate of positive cases per 100 persons was about four times higher among people in prison than those in the general Illinois population. This article explores policies and procedures to reduce COVID-19 death and infection, such as vaccine administration and medical furloughs.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States both in the general population and among people involved in the justice system. Research suggests suicide rates among those detained in jail and prison have increased in recent years. For this reason, it is important to understand and identify potential suicide risk factors among justice-involved populations. This study utilized violent death and arrest data to examine justice-involved suicide (n = 646) and homicide (n = 1,196) decedents and non-justice-involved suicide decedents (n = 976). The group comparisons were based on demographics, arrest records, and mental health and substance use variables. A higher proportion of suicide decedents compared to homicide decedents were found to be White and married, have a higher mean age, and suffer from mental health/substance use issues. Fewer significant differences were found between suicide decedents with and without prior arrest records. Given the identified factors associated with suicide, practices such as mental health/substance use treatment, pharmacological interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychological autopsies may help to prevent suicide among justice-involved individuals. Future research should evaluate interventions for justice-involved individuals at risk for suicide outside of jails or prisons.

Mental health courts are designed to reduce criminal justice system involvement among those suffering from mental health disorders. These courts have proliferated across the United States in the last 30 years, growing to over 470 nationwide. Mental health courts incorporate multidisciplinary teams of criminal justice system practitioners and stakeholders to supervise and connect participants to treatment services. Mental health court evaluations generally show positive results when it comes to reducing recidivism and improving participant quality of life; however, limitations in research methodology reduce the validity of many studies. This article provides a review of literature on mental health courts, including court operations, effectiveness, and related issues.

As social distancing measures continue to be necessary as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health court personnel and other criminal justice professionals have adapted to alternative work conditions. In this study, Illinois mental health court staff were surveyed to examine how the pandemic may have impacted normal operations. Responses indicated mental health courts adopted physically distanced work conditions (e.g., remote work, virtual meetings), but the conditions may have limited program effectiveness.

Research is limited on the use of electronic monitoring for individuals released from state correctional institutions. Available research indicates mixed results as to the efficacy of electronic monitoring in deterring individuals from committing technical violations—or violations of their conditions of release—and future criminal offending behavior. Further, the risks for collateral consequences (e.g. stigma, difficulty finding employment, disruption to family life) and potential net-widening are concerns. For the present study, we examined the discretionary use of electronic monitoring and its impact on individuals exiting the Illinois Department of Corrections on mandatory supervised release in state fiscal year 2016. We analyzed departmental policies, Prisoner Review Board orders, and conducted propensity score matching to compare outcomes of those who were and were not ordered to electronic monitoring as a condition of their release. Recommendations based on the study findings are provided.

Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance among youth in the United States. Underage alcohol use contributes to risky behavior, lower academic achievement, and altered brain development, and can increase the risk of future misuse. This article explored literature on underage drinking and interventions available to address the problem. Also examined were data on underage drinking in Illinois. Illinois data indicated high school students reported drinking alcohol at a slightly lower rate than the general United States population as a whole. In addition, Illinois arrests for underage drinking-related offenses have decreased in the last 15 years, especially among non-Black males.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges for the criminal justice system. Despite statewide social distancing and stay-in-place orders, criminal justice practitioners and victim service providers must, to some extent, continue to directly interact with justice-involved individuals, victims, and others. This article describes some of the challenges criminal justice system practitioners must face during the pandemic and offers guidance on policy and practices to ensure their safety.

Criminal justice systems operating in rural areas have been overlooked and under-researched, creating an emphasis on urban criminal justice system knowledge and recommendations. In addition, many rural areas have fewer social and behavioral health services, longer travel distances for service appointments and corresponding transportation issues, a small pool of criminal justice practitioners, and outdated technology and infrastructure. Researchers explored literature on rural crime and criminal justice systems in Illinois and nationally and examined state data trends. Findings indicate Illinois’ rural counties utilized the justice system more than urban counties, with higher rates of drug arrests, criminal court cases filed, probation caseloads, and prison admissions and exits.

Criminal justice issues are typically studied in urban rather than rural areas. This represents an important deficit in the understanding of policing issues, as most police departments are in rural jurisdictions. Research indicates rural police departments often operate with fewer resources, lower staffing levels, and more inferior technology than their urban counterparts. Other research shows urban and rural officers experience different sources of job-related stress and its manifestations. As such, further research is needed to determine the extent of these differences so that solutions tailored to address the needs of small rural departments and their officers may be better implemented.

Individuals on probation often are subject to drug testing regardless of conviction offenses. Positive test results can lead to probation sanctions, technical violations, and revocations, which, for some, may result in a period of incarceration. Probation departments operate with lack of guidance on drug testing, as well as a lack of research on drug testing’s impact on reducing recidivism or improving behavioral health. In a survey of a statewide random sample of Illinois probation departments, the current research examined the landscape of probation policies and procedures and drug testing administration. The survey revealed many probation departments did not randomly test probation clients, often responded to positive drug tests with punitive measures, and infrequently offered positive feedback, or contingency management, for negative test results.