John Howard Association of Illinois

The John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA) staff and volunteers visit and inspect jails, prisons and juvenile facilities several times a month.

JHA's Prison and Jail Monitoring Project is the eyes and the ears of the public inside Illinois’ adult correctional institutions. Based on regular visits to the state's prisons, JHA issues reports and policy recommendations that aim to establish a more cost-effect correction system.

JHA's Juvenile Justice Project focuses on Illinois’ Department of Juvenile Justice. Through monitoring visits, reporting, and policy work, we advocate for the establishment of rehabilitating programs and education for the state's incarcerated youth.

JHA's Prison Response Coordinator also answers dozens of letters and calls each month from incarcerated individuals and their families. His expertise includes explaining prison policy and dealing with such issues as housing as employment.

The Long Term Prisoner Policy Project leads efforts on behalf of long term and “C-#” inmates who, due to quirks in the evolution of Illinois sentencing laws, are confined in prison longer than was anticipated when they were originally sentenced. The Long Term Prisoner Policy Project is working to establish training and rehabilitative programs for long-term prisoners in maximum security prisons that have been forgotten by most people.