IYC-Murphysboro is Southern Illinois’ Minimum Security facility for boys.
Vital Statistics
Population: 52
Average Age: 16
Average annual cost per youth: $142,342
Population by Race: 23 White (44%), 27 Black (53%), 2 Hispanic (3%)
Source: IDJJ (3/23/2011)
Key Observations
- Murphysboro has significantly reduced its use of confinement. Youth are never subjected to confinement unless they commit a violent offense.
- The state’s failure to pay its bills is causing problems for the facility in obtaining necessary services.
- Vacancies in top administrative positions must be filled.
- Although there is adequate programming available, administration must ensure that staff expose the youth to the programming, rather than watching T.V. with the youth.
- A fear of gang symbolism is preventing the facility from taking advantage of staff’s willingness to run programs that will benefit the youth.
Read the latest JHA report here.
JHA's Juvenile Justice Project is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Illinois Models for Change Initiative.
