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Our mission

John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA) works to achieve a fair, humane and cost-effective criminal justice system by promoting adult and juvenile prison reform, leading to successful re-integration and enhanced community safety.

We are one of the most frequently quoted sources for reliable, independent information and commentary about Illinois' adult and juvenile prison system.

Our History
JHA was founded in 1901 to provide critical citizen oversight of the state’s adult and juvenile correctional facilities. It takes its name from an 18th century humanitarian who championed the cause of prison reform, first in his homeland of England, before expanding his mission throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Ireland.

JHA continues this crucial work by fielding teams of staff, board members and trained volunteers who conduct visits to juvenile and adult correctional facilities that currently house some 55,000 adults and juveniles in Illinois, many of whom are indigent and most of whom are minorities.

JHA teams interview staff and inmates and use that research to issue fact-based reports to the public and policy makers aimed at forging policies that ensure public safety, create opportunities for rehabilitation and make the most prudent use of tax dollars. It reviews legislative activity and regularly provides testimony and information on sentencing and correctional policies. And it responds to letters from inmates and their families that seek redress of a variety of issues they experience due to their confinement.