SHERIDAN Correctional Center

[Dazzler]

Sheridan Correctional Center
Opened: (Re-Opened) January 2, 2004
Capacity: 848
Level 4: Medium-Security Adult Male
Average Daily Population: 1,540
 
Total Average Daily Population: 1,540
Average Age: 29
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $17,556.00

 
 
 
 
  Visiting Hours  
 
 
IDOC Visitation Rules and Information -- please review before visiting

On the first visit to any correctional facility, the visitors will be required to have a photo identification, such as a driver's license, a state identification card, or acceptable documentation of non-US citizen including a current passport, Visa, or Matricula, and documentation that includes their social security numbers if US citizens, and date of birth.

Please have two forms of identification; one should be a photo ID for additional visits.

Visiting will not begin until the inmate is released from the Gateway Orientation. Inmates will not be eligible for visits until a minimum of 30 days or after they pass the Gateway post-test.

9:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.  
2 Hour Visits
 
 
 Facility Address  
 
 
Business Mail:

4017 E. 2603 Road
Sheridan, Il 60551

Phone: (815) 496-2181


 Inmate Mail:
Sheridan Correctional Center
Full Inmate Name & #
4017 E. 2603 Road
Sheridan, Il 60551

 
 
The Sheridan Correctional Center is an adult male medium-security prison, totally dedicated to substance abuse treatment. When at capacity, it will be the largest substance abuse treatment program in the nation. Sheridan Correctional Center was reopened on Jan. 2, 2004, to curb the trend in Illinois' growing prison population to reduce high recidivism rates of released Illinois offenders, providing men with state-of-the-art substance abuse treatment services, and using a holistic approach to equip offenders to return to drug-free, crime-free lives upon release. In the Sheridan Correctional Center nation model program, treatment interventions and access to other services are coordinated from the outset. The substance abuse provider collaborates with a cadre of service providers, the Illinois Department of Corrections and Adult Parole to effect community reintegration of returning offenders and improve public safety. Recovering from addiction requires a wide range of social and psychological interventions to confront old behaviors and instill new ones. Sheridan Correctional Center applies clinical best practices and uses a modified therapeutic community model with cognitive self-change. Sheridan Correctional Center staff collaborates with other organizations to integrate job preparation programming, clinical reentry management services and community reintegration, including continuing care provided by community-based substance abuse treatment providers.

Sheridan Correctional Center is located approximately 70 miles west of Chicago in LaSalle County and was originally constructed in 1941 as a juvenile facility. On Aug. 13, 1973, it was converted to an adult facility. Sheridan Correctional Center was closed from Aug. 15, 2002, until it reopened on Jan. 2, 2004. Sheridan Correctional Center consists of a total of 75 buildings, which comprise more than 600,000 square feet. There are 13 housing units and a 9-bed health care unit. The facility sits on 270 acres with 80 acres inside the perimeter fencing. The facility houses general population offenders.

Inmate Programs

Academic:

    * ABE (Adult Basic Education)
    * GED (General Education Development)

Vocational:

    * Cooperative Work Training
    * Commercial Custodian
    * Culinary Arts
    * Barbering
    * Dietary Class
    * Education to Careers
    * Welding
    * Warehousing
    * Horticulture
    * Youthful Offender
    * Home Builders Institute (HBI)
          o Electricity
          o Carpentry
          o Plumbing
          o Masonry
          o Building Apartment Maintenance
    * Illinois Manufacturing Foundation (IMF)
          o Machining/Manufacturing

Industries:

    * Garment Cutting

Volunteer Services:

    * Alcoholics Anonymous
    * Bible Studies
    * Fathers Read, Too

Other:

    * Inside Out Dads
    * Positive Parenting Class
    * Recreational Therapy
    * Peer Education Program
    * Lutheran Social Services
    * Substance Abuse
    * Anger Management
    * Young Men's Aggressive Management Groups
    * Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program
    * Leisure Time Activity
    * Chaplaincy
    * Library
    * Community Work Crews





Added 8-3-2011



Wardens Bulletin:

Effective August 15,2011 the following will be Sheridan Correctional Centers visitation policy. The Central Visitation Room (CVR) shall be open Tuesday through Sunday and visits shall be limited to no more than two(2) hours in length

The frequency of offender visits per month shall be based on an offenders treatment phase. Weekend visit will be phase as well; Phase 2 will be allowed to visit only on even dates and Phase 3 and 4 will be allowed to visit only on odd dates.

Phase 1 Orentation                    No visits
Phase 2 Intensive Treatment    Six (6) visits per month. Only two weekend (even dates only) or holiday visits allowed. No more than two visits per week!
Phase 3 Transition                     Seven (7) visits per month. Only two weekend(odd dates only) or holiday visits allowed. No more than two visits per week.
Phase 4 Pre-Release                  Eight(8) visits per month. Only two weekend(odd dates only) or holiday visits allowed. No more than three visits per week.
No offender will be allowed to visit without an approved Visiting List being recievend at the CVR. Persons visiting for the first time will be required to have two forms of ID. one must be a photo identification. visitation must arrive at the CVR and report to the visiting desk no later than 7:00pm. There will be no admission for persons attemting to check in after 7:00pm. The CVR is ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) Complaint. Visitation shall be based on operational needs of the facility to be determined by the Duty Administrative Officier, any excpetions to this process must be pre-approvved. Visitation policy is subject to change based on operational needs of the facility.


http://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/vandaliacorrectionalcenter.aspx




 
Information on program at Sheridan run by Westcare:



WestCare - Sheridan Correctional Center
http://www.westcare.com
/Home/Northwest IL - Drug Rehab/LaSalle County, IL - Drug Rehab/Sheridan, IL - Drug Rehab

Uplifting the human spirit is a lofty statement for any organization to promote as their objective, especially given the challenging world we live in today. Quality health and human services for individuals, families and communities in need are a priceless resource. With over three decades of experience, WestCare has the necessary expertise to be that resource to the communities we serve.

WestCare, a family of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our services include substance abuse and addiction treatment, homeless and runaway shelters, domestic violence treatment and prevention, and mental health programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families; we specialize in helping people traditionally considered difficult to treat, such as those who are indigent, have multiple disorders, or are involved with the criminal justice system.

Much of our growth has resulted from partnering with like-minded, community-oriented treatment programs that focus on providing the highest quality services. All of these partnerships are to the mutual benefit of the organizations involved and have enabled the partners to sustain and enhance the provision of treatment services for those who need such help. A brief historical overview shows how this strategy has further strengthened and broadened the treatment continuum WestCare provides in its many regions.

WestCare
Sheridan Correctional Center
4017 E 2603rd Rd
Sheridan IL 60551
Tel: 815 496-2181 x-4000
Fax: 815 496-3468

In November of 2006 WestCare entered into partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IODC) to provide substance abuse treatment services at the Sheridan Correctional Center in Sheridan, IL. WestCare provides a licensed totally dedicated adult male 950 bed in-prison therapeutic community substance abuse program using a three phase (orientation, treatment and prerelease reentry/reintegration) modified therapeutic community model. WestCare has a long history of implementing therapeutic community programs that are informed and guided by current research, and thus are considered to be evidenced-based practices. WestCare utilizes a conceptual framework for our therapeutic communities that motivates and engages the participants from intake to release and encourages them to transition into continued treatment in the community.

WestCare has partnered with Amity Foundation Inc. to implement the well-researched and recognized Amity Model for in-custody therapeutic Community and Extensions LLC to provide the therapeutic community staff training and specialized therapeutic community curriculum for the WestCare program at Sheridan.

WestCare works in conjunction with IDOC administrative, security, program, and support staff through regular meetings, development of shared procedures, and planned cross trainings to achieve a seamless and well-articulated set of expectations for both staff and inmate participants. WestCare values our Sheridan partnerships and has a commitment to work closely with IDOC, TASC, Safer Foundation, the Illinois Valley Community College, the Illinois Manufacturing Foundation, the National Homebuilders Association, to ensure communication and collaboration between all stakeholders.

WestCare is committed to the continued evaluation of the focus, intensity and effectiveness of the treatment model in order to ensure it is accommodating the realistic/practical treatment and cultural needs of men at Sheridan.

Best Practice clinical and behavioral approaches include:
• Therapeutic Community in isolated treatment units (Community as primary agent of change)
• Emphasis of the community is on the healthy, positive development of all aspects of its members
• Treatment that lasts long enough to produce behavioral change (9 to 24 months)
• Comprehensive and meaningful assessment
• Individual Treatment Plans
• Treatment that targets factors that are associated with criminal behavior
• Cognitive Behavior Treatment
• Family Education/counseling
• Balance of rewards and sanctions that encourage prosocial behavior and treatment
• Use of self-help groups and social/recreational learning opportunities
• Quality improvement
• Program evaluation
• Cross Training
• Coordinated approach to continuity of care/community transitioning

 

   

[mag820]

Does anyone have any information about Sheridan's program. Do they get additional time off for addiction counseling? I heard it was 45 days for every 90? A minimum amount of program time?

[Dazzler]

Hi Mag....the last I heard, and it's not official, is that inmates participating in a drug program get 30 days additional good time for each 90 days spent in a program.  They are allowed to earn a total of 90 days additional good time for attending educational classes.  There may be some special consideration for Sheridan inmates.  Also, no violent offenders may receive this time or those who have been in the DOC on two other occasions.  It must their first or second bid in IDOC.  Maybe others will come along with more answers.

[pinkgirl02]

Hi Ya'll-

I just checked the doc website and my dad has been moved to Sheridan, I went to get the new address and it's not listed. Does anyone have the address?? I really want to send him some money now that I have some to send, but clearly I can't do that if I don't have the address. Can someone help me out? Thanks a bunch!

[Jims]

The address is just this:

Inmate's Name
Inmate's Number
Sheridan, Il 60551

You could also send it to him via Western Union, but it's costly if you're only sending in $50 or less.

[pinkgirl02]

Thanks a bunch! I was thinking they couldn't just have the name and number that they needed an actual address but apparently not lol. Thanks a lot! :)

[Jims]

You're welcome. It is strange that there's no PO box or anything. If you want to double check, give them a call.

[MissnMoose]

My husband is possibly interested in transferring to Sheridan.   Anyone out there with loved ones here?  It's closer to home for our family, but not sure if this request will be an easy one.  I'm interested in hearing more about the environment (inside and out) for families.   We have two young children.

[downtownchicago]

Does anyone know how long the visits are at Sheridan ?  And truly no weekday visits ?

[Forevermah]

9:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. 

[downtownchicago]

Yah, but how long are the visits ... 4 hours ?  2 ?

[Forevermah]

They are only two hours..  more information for Sheridan visiting:

Visiting will not begin until the inmate is released from the Gateway Orientation. Inmates will not be eligible for visits until a minimum of 30 days or after they pass the Gateway post-test.

9:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.

[downtownchicago]

Thank you !

[downtownchicago]

Oh duh, I just realized that it does say in the opening post that visits are 2 hours.  I wonder why I missed that first time around ?  Seriously my reading skills are going to pot !

[Forevermah]

 Sheridan Correctional Program Evaluation Summary, May 2006 ...


http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ProgEvalSummary/Sheridan.pdf

[dianne1947]

:~) Hi everyone,a question,my son is now in winnebago county jail,monday he gets sentenced,his public def.told him he talked to states attorney,and they ar asking he go to sheridan,i see they are over capacity now,what happens can he stay, in jail and wait ,or do they send him somewhere else? they want him there because he has severe drug problem[like there any other kind,than severe] he is as in the dark as i am,first time for a prison,he's so scared and confused listening to all the inmates telling him different thoughs on whats going to happen.so,if anyone has any info that might help me,i'd really appreciate it.also,should i send him 100.00 now or wait till he gets where he's going?thanks so much.god bless       
                                                                                                                                                                                   Dianne

[Dazzler]

Well first Mom, he must go through R and C...that's where he'll remain until it's time to be assigned to a home institution.  Please read Ten Steps to Understanding the IDOC...it'll answer most of your initial questions.  If there's room at Sheridan and his counselor and the DOC think Sheridan would be the proper prison for him then he'll have to remain at Stateville until there's a bed available.  Not all inmates that are recommended to Sheridan by a judge get to go to Sheridan.  There are several other prisons that deal primarily with drug addiction also.  Southwestern is one.  Most of the other prisons have some type of drug abuse program also.  Sheridan is an intense treatment facility.  $100 is too much to send him while he's in R and C.  Stateville is notorious for transferring inmate accounts to other facilities at their leisure...sometimes four or more weeks after an inmate is reassigned.  Send him a smaller amount.  Incoming inmates cannot spend much money...only personal items are allowed and the State provides them if they have no money.  Register with VINE and you'll be notified as soon as your son is moved...then Quick Collect him some money and he'll have it immediately.  Go to Getting Started in the IDOC near the top of the homepage and read about VINE and most everything else you will need to know.  If you have more questions, and I'm sure you will...just give us a shout back....Welcome.

[w8tn4hm]

Dianne,  %$#@ to IPT. This is such a great forum to receive tons of information, support and comfort while your son is in IDOC. My fiance is in Sheridan, so if there is anything you need to know, please feel free to post or send me a personal message. Once my fiance was approved for Sheridan, there was not a waiting period for a bed to free up. Maybe the circumstances have changed now.  Anyway, please don't hesitate to ask me anything you need to know about Sheridan...I am on here daily.

Be strong, but when you feel you need to cry or simply vent, you'll find tons of support here!

W8tn4hm

[dianne1947]

HI,friends,well 6:00am Nov1. my son is on his way to statesville,he's really anxious,never been to prison,a few jails,anyway can anyone tell me what happens there,the inmates in jail with him tell him he's locked up 23 hrs,a day,is that true? how long is he here for,and why is he there at all, and not just sent to where he does his term?I guess I am more anxious than he is.Thanks for any help,GOD bless cyin

[SMD]

When your son is sentenced he will go to Statesville R&C. From there he will be send off to his home prison..
                                                                          SMD

[SMD]

When your son hits Statesville R&C they are lockedown most of the time.. During that time they go over there health and ect to see where is the best place to place your son at.
He may go to a drug treatment place or maybe just some place they have room for them..
                                                         SMD

[mamacita1]

HI,friends,well 6:00am Nov1. my son is on his way to statesville,he's really anxious,never been to prison,a few jails,anyway can anyone tell me what happens there,the inmates in jail with him tell him he's locked up 23 hrs,a day,is that true? how long is he here for,and why is he there at all, and not just sent to where he does his term?I guess I am more anxious than he is.Thanks for any help,GOD bless cyin

Hi there.....

He will be in Statesville, as others have indicated until he gets processed.  I am aware of only two facilities that offer an intensive drug rehab program:  Graham and Sheridan.  However, depending on the nature of his crime and many other factors, he may not go immediately to these two institutions.  Heads up...while the Judge may recommend these facilities, the ultimate decision is up to IDOC.  Because these facilities are very desireable for some inmates, they do have a waiting list.  Consequently, your loved one may be initially sent to another facility, until he "qualifies" for enterring Graham or Sheridan.  The "qualifiers" depend on the nature of the conviction, and other factors.

It is true that he will be in Statesville with perhaps another inmate until he gets processed fully before final determination.  During this time, he will not be afforded many freedoms...he will most likely be under what you described.....in a cell for 23 hours, until he is fully processed.  This entails determination of availability of "space" based on his conviction.  It can take from a short period of one week (although this is a rarity) to up to 2-3 weeks (more common).  From there, he will be sent to his "home" prison, where once again he will be processed as they observe him and determine the "appropriate" cell mate.  This can take yet another 2-3 weeks.  During this time, he will have limited freedom, until he gets into "general population".  All this is relative....based upon where he gets sent to, which is determined upon the nature of his crime (violent). 

In my son's case, the judge recommended that he be sent to Graham or Sheridan....but that was not what IDOC initially designated as his "home" prison.  He has to adhere to the guidelines that his "home" prison designates, and eventually will qualify to be accepted to Graham or Sheridan (as per his counselor).  I hope this information helps....please feel free to continue to ask any questions you may have.

[w8tn4hm]

Hi onesoul and welcome to IPT! My guy was in Sheridan for a while.  If you would like to send me a pm with some questions you may have, I will do my best to answer them.

W8 

[Onesoul]

Thank you for welcoming me w8tn4hm. I would like to know if they let people get married there, and is there a bus that goes there, how is the visiting area, not to be nasty or any thing but do they let them have conjugal visits.I haven't heard anyone mention any thing about them kind of visits. I'm unsure if me sending you this pm-ing you I'm learning right now how this works if I am please let me know. And thanks again for your help.

[kjs07]

How long do they have to be at Sheridan before they can make phone calls? I heard that they have to be there 30 days before they can make calls. He has only been there for 1 day. I set up an account with consolidated and they said that he is already to call. His dad tried to set one up today & they told him that my husband had to call the # & not get through before they could set up his account. Any info would help.   

[Forevermah]

I am not sure about Sheridan, but normally when they first get to their parent prison, they make out their phone and visiting lists and after those are  approved in 2-4 weeks they can call.. Sheridan, may be different because of their drug program.. The best thing for you to do, is call and ask his counselor. They should be able to answer your questions, as long as he is your husband.  When you call, just ask to speak to your husbands counselor, they will ask his # and should be able to connect you.

Good Luck,

Mah

[Juwarica1974]

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE STILL READ THERE MESSAGES BUT MY FIANCE JUST GOT TRANSFERED TO SHERIDAN AND HE ONLY HAS BEEN THERE FOR A FEW DAYS AND I HAVE TALKED TO HIM TWICE BUT MY QUESTION IS THIS HOW MUCH MONEY COULD YOU SEND THEM.

I am not sure about Sheridan, but normally when they first get to their parent prison, they make out their phone and visiting lists and after those are  approved in 2-4 weeks they can call.. Sheridan, may be different because of their drug program.. The best thing for you to do, is call and ask his counselor. They should be able to answer your questions, as long as he is your husband.  When you call, just ask to speak to your husbands counselor, they will ask his # and should be able to connect you.

Good Luck,

Mah

[Juwarica1974]

   I would like to know is there transportation to sheridan?





[all caps edited by admin]

[KSwife]

Juwarica~Go check out the transportation board, you can read about all the available bus services there.


  To IPT!

[superb86]

The phone situation is the same at sheridan as most other joints.  For visits, there are none for the first 30 days.  Then they are 2 hours long but only 1 day per week and it has to be sat or sun, there are NO visits during the week except some holidays.  If they get into the 3rd phaze which takes usually around 9 months, they can get 4 hours visits.  Yeah the visiting time kinda suck but I bet the majority of you are from chicagoland so the location makes it worthwhile.  They get 45 days off of every 90 if they are eligible.  There are many programs at sheridan.  If anyone has any questions, ask.  I've been there before so I know pretty much everything there is to know about sheridan.

[me]

Does Sheridan accept inmates who are not in the substance abuse program or have drug related crimes at all?

[Starr2010]

I heard rumors that Sheridan C.C has not been paying their counselors, and that the institution will be closing?  Is this true? 

[Dazzler]

All the prisons have had problems paying their bills....that includes teachers, vendors, service people....the state spends much more than it takes in and unfortunately our inmates' welfare is one of the first to go....

I don't know about Sheridan but I was shocked to find out they are just warehousing people there until their short-term sentences are served....without being in any of the programs that Sheridan was designed for.  It seems like a tremendous waste of money and effort. 

At the moment I haven't heard this rumor....Sheridan had been a nationwide spotlighted program when it began....but like everything within the IDOC's control it soon becomes tarnished.

[ahenderson9]

My child's father is at Sheridan and he says he can now only get visits on tues-fri,he's not considered with general population and has only been at Sheridan for two months. He's suppose to be transferring soon. Is their any buses that go out their during the week? I'm due to have our baby soon and wanted to visit him before baby comes.?/

[seaturtle]

My LO was transferred to Sheridan on 7/1/10.  I would just like to share a bit of information on mail and phones.  He was in Vienna which is a Min facility and he was able to call when ever and would put artwork on the envelopes along with me putting ink stamp hearts and writing on the back of the envelopes.

Sheridan is a Med Facility ~ phones & mail changed drastically and I am sharing this to spare anybody frustration and heartache.

Phone time is extremely limited, they can only call in the evening during day room and they have to put their name on a list and wait to be called.  Depending on where they are on the list depends on IF they can call that evening or not.  All calls are limited to 10 min by the facility NOT Consolidated, due to the amount of inmates wanting to make calls.     can't hear his voice near as much as I used to.

Mail room is very very strict ~ absolutely nothing "extra" on the envelope.  I was using address labels and this is not allowed, along with other adornments I would draw on the envelope.  I had so many pieces of mail sent back.  You must put your entire name for the return address ~ don't shorten it.  Example - DON'T put  "J. Smith"  you must put your entire first name  "Jane Smith".

I sent him a one page letter and told him I would send the pieces that got sent back as soon as he received it.  One good thing is the mail does not take that long.

Will be visiting him (for the very first time since he left on 3/3/10!!!) on Aug 1st.  I will post my experience here for anyone who needs or wants the info.

 

[Cashyc]

...My LO is in Sheridan also... Yes, they are very strict when it comes to letters,I've had ONLY ONE letter sent back to me for "No sticker/labels" as I'd used my address label. That was enough for me. I NOW PRINT instead of cursive,ALL INFO on my letter envelopes..
...However ALL MY CALLS have been 30mins...Oh,we did have two calls that he had to 'rush' & get off afta @ 12mins. the rest were regular 30min.calls... My LO is in what u call "Pre-Treatment" maybe thats why?.. He's been in one ''meeting'' their & says he likes it.. He's very eager to start participating in the many programs their. He's said the NEW Warden their said "Theirs gonna be many changes made their",My LO said he hopes the 'changes' are better for the inmates.. I agree the mail is much,much quicker their...
...I am a bit confused though,My LO said the visits are Tues. thru Friday not WEEKENDS ONLY??..I'm gonna ask him again this weekend when he calls...  I need to know as I plan on visiting him the second week of August....

[Cashyc]

Well I visited my LO on Aug.5th. It was very nice. The CO's were very nice,informative & processed us visitors in a timely manner. Two forms of ID are needed for visititng, one being Proof of Address (ie-Auto insurance card,utility bill etc.).

There was various vending machines. You need to purchase a vending card for $5.00(i think that was what it cost).  The  place is clean,bright & colorful, modern and Air conditioned.

My LO is in GP/Pre-treament their. Our visits times are for 2hrs. Tues-Fri. starts at 3p. however count time is at 4:30. I arrived at 3:10, but didn't get my visit til a little after 5pm.. Next time I'l try to get their after count time. My LO says his visiting time will increase to 4hrs. after he's been their (3months or so,maybe?) a while.

Overall , I was very pleased with my visit.. Much,much better than Vienna. I can't wait til my next one, which I plan will be next friday the 19th!  ;-)

[Marks_guy]

Glad to hear you had a great visit!

[Hooliflynn]

Hello Everyone,
My LO was sent to Sheridan this week. Just curious on how long until he'll be able to call home? What can I send him through the mail?
Thanks for any additional info you can give me!

[Cashyc]

Depending on when his call list is approved is when he'l be able to call. It can be from a week to several weeks.  They are very strict with the mail their. NO decorarations, NO Address labels,NO drawings/smiley faces/drawn lips.etc.. on the envelopes. I believe u can send magazines & cards. Your LO should be able to tell you more specificaly, what can or can't be mailed to him.. I'm not exactly sure as my LO is new their also...

[Marks_guy]

If you look through the latest posts on this board, seaturtle has described how strict Sheridan's mailroom is. She found out the hard way.

[seaturtle]

Hi Hooliflynn, and yes Marks_guy is right I found out the hard way.  Scroll through this thread and you will find the information I posted and you must follow it to the letter.  I have sent him those soft cover puzzle books and he received them.  I have also sent him two paperback novels and he has not received them yet but they have not been returned to me....YET.  So I think you will be OK with magazines, but if you find out different please let us know here.  Sheridan is very strict about everything, but it is a rehab program.

My L/O called me the day after he arrived, I was surprised but I guess his approved list followed him.

[Hooliflynn]

Thank you so much! I sent him a letter with 3 pictures, very plain & nothing fancy at all. I still have yet to recieve a phone call but he had someone that hes there with have someone call me to let me know that he is there now, I already knew of course bc of VINE but he has no idea that I have more information than he probably has at this point in the game. I was lucky enough to recieve 3 letters from him while he was at Stateville so I know hes holding up. I just cant wait for him to get involved at Sheridan so his days can start passing by as fast as mine are. From what Ive read on IDOC there seems to be a lot of programs, are there long waiting lists to get involved in them? Or do they start right away? Thank you all soo much in advance, this site has truly been a blessing for me.

[moody816]

Is Sheridan still all durg program or is part of the joint gen pop?

[seaturtle]

Hi moody816, Sheridan is the drug program still.  My LO has been there since July.  He just mentioned recently due to the over crowding every where and the states inability to pay Westcare (the organization that oversees the rehab program) that the number of counselors will be reduced and part of the compound will be used for gen pop in the up coming months.  But this, like every other rumor heard via CO's and such may not have any truth to it.

Hope this helps you.  Is your LO scheduled to transfer to Sheridan?

[ash8885]

my l/o told me the same thing seaturtle but then he also was told that they are kicking people out on electric monitors if they have completed 9 months of the program and are within a certain amount of time to their outdates.  My belief is itz all rumors till there is some solid proof or formal statement made about it.  I don't believe really anything that come from the c/os there cuz alot of them just start crap.

[Cashyc]

My Lo told me the same thing.....''Westcare isn't getting paid so they will be expanding the place for General Population''.

He also said they extended their shop days.. I haven't heard anythingelse thou.

[Pamalynn]

J asked me to find some information for him

1. Is Sheridan a facility entirely for substance abuse, or is there just a portion of it that is used for that purpose?

2. Is Sheridan being shut down? He said rumor has it that it will be closing in the near future.

3. If they are accepted to Sheridan are they immediately put into the substance abuse program, or is there a waiting list?

Thank you.

[tabbylover]

1. yes until parole  - according to a counselor I spoke to.

2. rumor from my lo who was in the facility that the west care program will be shut down because of lack of funds to pay the instuctors not the prison itself.

3. Immediate.

[Amanda.Marks]

My LO is looking at possibly transferring to Sheridan, but he is concerned, he's heard that basically there is a lot of drama there, that if you aren't always in trouble you are considered a snitch? Has anyone else heard anything like this? I would love for him to get into the drug program, and he really needs it, he also said something about the time remaining on a sentence needing to be below 2.5 years.. again has anyone heard anything about that either? Is it a safe place to go? Just looking for some information to take back to him.  Thanks :)

[Mrs.Mcgahee]

Actually, my Lo has been there since April of 2010. He likes it and get alone with the CO and the counselors. Part of the program with Westcare is you have to write tickets on other inmates not to get in trouble but they make certain LO's leads and they have group about the issues they were written up about. If people start reading more they would understand that this is one of the few programs that help you find work after your release and stay in touch with you. Also, the recividism rate is very low for Sheridan. It is a program for men wanting to change. I did a lot of research on Sheridan and other programs like it,. They are very successful, not every program is perfect of course , but it works. My LO doesn't have problem with anyone, and he is going in his last part of the program. He is one year down now.

My lo hasn't had any drama, since being there, but he hasn't had any tickets since being in prison. Period! And my lo is not a snitch, so whoever gave him that information was wrong. I think it was worst in logan, he worked in the kitchen there.

He will need to be under 24 months to be consider. All of this information is located on here and on the web. Its prison but I think Sheridan is fairly safe. To be honest most young guys can't handle it and gets kicked out of the program and sent to other prison or they are sent to SEG. My lo is in his 30's and this information I recieved from him. Sherdian is not the place you want to do that, but he was selected to go down there. He didn't request the transfer, and the counselor at Logan told him they would not pick him and they did. But its been great for us, I guess it depends on the LO. Good luck

[Courage]

My husbands counselor is working with him to get into the drug program at Sheridan and we have a few questions? He is currently at East Moline and has just under 1 year to go. If he gets approved for a transfer does he immediately go into the drug program or does he have to go into general population and wait for an opening? Also, does his good time start as soon as he enters the drug program? Is the good time day for day in the drug program at Sheridan? Is it dorm style or does it have cells? He is nervous about switching prisons because you never know what you are walking into. He could definitely benefit from the drug program but since he doesn't have a lot of time left it wouldn't be worth it if he transferred there but then had to wait to get into the drug program.
Thanks for any answers anyone can provide.

[veracity]

The program starts immediately. Phase 1 is orientation where there are no visits allowed for 30 days. There is no time limit for how long you can be in the various phases so don't think he's going to get 1 1/2 days credit for every day he's there. The extra good time involves contracts and progressing through the phases. They have mostly 2 man cells. I don't know about how much good time they can get cause my son isn't eligible for contracts even though he is not a class x felon so make sure his conviction qualifies for contract time. The program is not easy and the structure is hard on some. Many of the guys are released to halfway houses before they can actually go home. I can understand his hesitancy in transferring.

[Courage]

Thanks so much for your post Veracity. Does anyone know exactly how the contracts work? I just spoke to a counselor and she told me the contracts are day for day but then said that he would only get 45 days on a 90 day contract so I'm confused. His out date is January 26, 2013 so according to the counselor if he came in February then his out date would be the end of October. I think he can get the 3 months off and not have to go through the hassle of a transfer. So if the counselor is correct then he just needs to decide if he really wants to go to the drug program. Any clarity would be much appreciated!