TAMMS Correctional Center

[Dazzler]

Post your information here.



Tamms Correctional Center  
Greg Lambert, Day-to-Day Operations  

Facility Data

Tamms Correctional Center
 Opened: March 1998
 Operational Capacity: 700
 Closed Maximum Security Adult Male
 *Closed Maximum Security Population: 198
 *Tamms Minimum Security Unit Population: 199
 *Total Current Population: 397
 Average Age: 36
 FY2010 Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $61,522.00  
 
*As of 11/30/2011. Reflects bed space capacity analysis as outlined in the January 1, 2012 Quarterly Report to the Legislature.
  
 Tamms Correctional Center is the parent institution for Tamms Minimum Security Unit

Visiting Hours

  

IDOC Visitation Rules and Information
 
Visitors to any correctional facility will be required to produce photo identification and verification of date of birth. Please be sure to bring 2 forms of identification with you; these would include a current photo ID such as a driver’s license, a state ID card, government ID card, military ID/driver’s license, or acceptable documentation of non-U.S. citizenship including a current Passport, or Visa, documentation must contain the visitor’s date of birth. Expired forms of identification will not be accepted. Visitors will also be required to provide vehicle information and other pertinent data, such as government identification, official credentials, attorney registration, and or law student certification.
 
Maximum Security Unit
 Pre-scheduled visits only
 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
 Visits are 4 hours in duration.

Facility Address

Business Mail:
8500 Supermax Road
 Tamms, IL 62988
 
Inmate Mail:
 Inmate Name & IDOC#
 8500 Supermax Road
 Tamms, IL 62988
 
 
Phone: (618) 747-2042
 Fax: (618) 747-2062
 


Facility Information

The mission of the Tamms Closed Maximum (C-Max) Security is to improve the quality of life, safety and day-to-day operation of other Illinois Department of Corrections facilities and to enhance the safety of staff, offenders and the public.
 
Tamms C-Max has been designated and designed to house the Illinois Department of Corrections most disruptive, violent and problematic offenders. Offenders approved for placement at the Tamms C-Max have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to conform to the requirements of a general population facility.

Tamms Correctional Center consists of a 500-bed C-Max security facility and a 200-bed minimum security unit (MSU).  The facility is situated on 236 acres of land just north of Tamms on Route 127 in Alexander County. Twenty-four acres are occupied by the C-Max physical plant, which is surrounded by a 12-foot high double-barbed wire security fence.
 
Inmate Programs
 
Academic:
•ABE (Adult Basic Education)
•GED (General Education Development)

Eligible offenders are permitted to enroll in either an ABE or GED curriculum.
 
Other:
•Chaplaincy and Religious Services
•Substance Abuse
•Counseling/Case Management Services
•Health Care Services
•Mental Health Services
•Behavioral Incentive Program

 
 
Volunteer Services:
 •Religious Volunteers

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

[EMERALD]

I think Tamms is designed to cause depression in the inmates.I think I would go mad in there. The isolation would kill me, I try to put myself in the place of these guys and it makes me soooo mad. Its inhumane!!! >:(

[peanuts]

yes your very right about that!! Thats why its very important that  we as their friends, try help them maintain their sanity. I send letters, cards, pictures, crossword puzzles, funny printouts, I am so glad they are able to receive used books, i have lots of them and you can also send hardback books, they just rip off front cover.

Here are some more important dont do's :

1) never send a letter with a picture taped to the letter, it will be sent back. No tape what so ever is allowed.

2) Make sure not to leave any stains on letter, it wont go through. hats why i make sure I dont drink coffee or anything while writing a letter.

3) Do not use white out!! I t will be returned to you.

4) They are only allowed so may pictures in their cell  sounds crazy huh?) So I just printout on regualr paper some pictures. So he can keep them.

Thats all i can think of for now.

[dancer]

I sent in a card I made using versamark ink and it was not allowed. 
You also cannot mention another inmate even by just first name.  You cannot say "I just visited my son at Robinson".  You cannot ask what gang he was in.  You can't say,  oh,  I write to so and so and he just got out of Tamms. 

[marydream8]

Hm, that surprises me as I often mention his brother (he is at Menard for the same reason) and there was never a problem. He only holds back when it comes to paralegal assistance from other inmates. Then we both keep names secretly. He learned German a little bit and when there is something serious, he sends small messages in German.
But he was forbidden to receive copies of his own original picture. He was allowed to have the original in his cell and when I have sent back the original + copy, all of a sudden they didn't even give back the original picture!!! Do I need to understand this?????

[peanuts]

I received a letter from R  that they still do not have access to any library books, as they have no librarian)  this has been going on for a couple months now. This is a big concern because these guys are on lockdown 23/7 . Not all are so priviledged to have tv & radios. You wonder how do some cope and stay sane. I wonder why they do not have a  librarian by now?

Im going to a book fair later today, and hopefully I can get a box together to send to R and he can share with others.


This just makes me soo mad!!!

[dancer]

HI Peanuts
They cannot share with each other.   They cannot pass the books and the officers get in trouble if they try to do that.  They can only read them and then donate them to the library.  I have asked many of them about this.  I did call down there.  They said the inmate can put in a request slip for books ( how do they know what is available? ) and the part time,  interim librarian will get to it when she can.  He said it isn't two months though.  I wonder how many books they get at a time?  If it is 5 or less it won't take a man two months to read them,  when he has nothing else to do. 
I guess they are pressing to go to TV sets without speakers in them.  They can only be heard using head phones then. This means that the other inmates cannot hear someone else's TV or radio.  This makes it quieter,  but awful for the man without tv or radio. 
Why don't you call down there?   I would love it if other members also called,  and said these guys need to have library access at least!!
I bought some books on black history and other frequently requested topics and the librarian at the time told me to send them in care of their school library.  I bet they are just sitting there!   

[EMERALD]

Best Western, Cheekwood Inn. Ullin. 10 minutes from Tamms. Phone 618-845-3700.  10% off for those of us ladies over 55!!  $49 per night.  Ill let you know how it was when I come back in June. ..)

[EMERALD]

Dancer, yes they can only have 5 books at one time. (>(

[dancer]

I'm not sure about that.  When I send in packages to them I have sent in 10 at a time,  the limit the staff told me, and they got all 10. 

[EMERALD]

Oh right, that was what my guy told me a while ago, has it changed? --)

[Dazzler]

Here's a link to an article written in 2000 concerning the conditions and secrecy at Tamms CC.  I know it's an older article but I though it was interesting reading about the hunger strike at Tamms...http://macarthur.uchicago.edu/pdf/UNOpEd.pdf#search='Illinois%20prison%20talk'

[EMERALD]

Thanks for that Dazzler. 6 years ago and still things havent changed. Its unbelievable!!

[dancer]

William told me that they do get books once a month and have a libarian.  They have to request them and then in 2 to 3 weeks they get them. That isn't much turn around time though when they have so much time to read.  I don't know why others said they went two months and couldn't get books.  maybe they hired another librarian? 

[dancer]

Books to Tamms
I called today to check whether there were changes about what and how you can send books to Tamms.  You can send them from home in bubble wrap envelopes,  padded envelopes or boxes.  They do not care.  Make sure there are no stains on the books.  They will cut off the covers of hardcover books.  They do not allow nudity in the books and evidently this includes art books!  No gang books she said ( I've never seen any of those). 

[MIWESO]

I just got back from visiting my Wes today at Tamms! It took me only 5 hours to get there, I must have done 100 all the way there! I drove down there last night. I visited with him this morning for 4 hours. The visit was great, we laughed a lot, cried a little and smiled a bunch! (*%# 
I asked him so many questions about Tamms. even though I visited with him in the past I never asked him so many questions. OK this is what I asked...
... I asked him  about the price of medication in there. He said they don't charge for pain medication like Tylenol but if they do need ex-rays there is a $2.00 charge and to have his teeth checked cleaned and fixed it was $2.00 'Not bad for all the work done' He said they have a real good dentist in there, he had a lot of work done and did not feel to much pain because the dentist made sure to numb his mouth real good before doing any work and explained every step he took. He did say the regular doctor there does suck!My Wes has been trying to get his sugar checked for the past to 3 months because he is always having hot flashes, but the doctor refuses to give him a check up.As for the Television he said they do get the basic channels which is about 6 or 7 channels he wishes they had more channels but he is happy just to have a TV. I ordered him a subscription of the chicago newspaper but he asked me to cancel it, because they don't give him the paper until a week later and by then he has already seen most of the news on TV. The guards so far have treated him with total respect and none treat him bad  THANK GOD! he now gets 3 showers a week and does get to shave on those days. He was finally able to buy some new gym shoes. He can only spend $20.00 a month at the store and most of it goes on envelopes because he does write home a lot. He was told by his counselor to just get comfortable there because he will have to stay there through his entire time ( the jerk could have been a bit nicer about it)
As I waited to be escorted to and from the visiting room I talked to a few of the guards,I asked why was there so many guards that treated inmates wrong. I was told something that made a lot of sense to me,  They said they are not all bad they just have a job to do But that like in every job there is always that one person (should I say guard) that lets his/her job get to their head and that, that is the guard that makes them all look bad. But that most do know that respect has to be earned and if they don't respect the inmates those inmates will in return disrespect the guards, and that because of that no good guard messing things up the inmate will never act right. Making it hard for them to get along with the other guards because they will believe that all the guards are the same.The guards I spoked to seemed real and I found no reason not to believe them.they could have been jerks to me but treated me OK.As for pictures I was told that a guard can get in trouble if he dares make any stupid remarks about what he sees in the mail room, and that it is all normal for those pictures to come in on a daily bases, just like every one said it was( I had to ask! ^%$#)
I asked about the diffrent color jumpers the inmate wears
Green : High security
Blue: lowest level security those are the ones most privileged short timers (work camp)
Tan: almost every one else wears tan that is the normal color for the inmates doing time.
I don't know when I will see him again,not any time soon I know that! But I am glad that I had this visit because I feel better knowing my Wes is doing good and that he is not being treated like shit. I know he will one day run into that one jerk that will treat him like dirt but I pray that day never comes. He hates it in there and he knows that he has to walk on a thin line and he worries that one day he will get disrespected but I pray he is strong enough to hold on to his temper. He is a good person he would never disrespect any one but will dish out what is given to him in terms of respect.He hates the way the mail gets messed around with and that he can't call home.but he knows there is nothing we can do to change any of it.all he can do is hope he gets his mail on time. He was so happy today I am so glad I saw him, I missed that laugh of his so much! it hurts to leave him there at the end of our visit, I pray these 4 yrs move on quickly I need him home.I miss him soooooo much!  I told him all about every one here and how much you guys have helped me cope, he wishes he had a system like this he thinks it's great we have IPT. Thanks every one for being here allowing me to spill all this out. I have a great family, but they don't want to hear any of it. they wish I would just walk away from him but I love this man so much I can't see my future with out him. he is my best friend and they can't understand  why I do so much for him. Well every one have a happy and safe Easter! easter

[shawnssweetcheeks]

Congrats I'm glad you got there and home safe also had a good visit...

[jewels]

Well done and congrats for making it there on your own. I knew you could do it in time.
I am glad he is doing okay and you had such a good visit! --)

[EMERALD]

Miweso, I was so glad your visit went well. Im going next month to see my man in Tamms,by the way, he wears green!  One question I would like to ask you is, how easy was it to converse through the glass? Was it a strain to hear, and how close are you,?  Thanks for any more info. ?>

[MIWESO]

 _)+&*
Emerald,
 The visit is behind a glass but the rooms are some what private.well all glass doors and walls but one on one rooms and you can hear each other clearly through a speaker that is on the glass,you can sit on a plastic chair they will have in the room but he will have to sit on a hard peace of cement for 4 hours, his ass will be numbed! the speaker on the glass is small but very,very clear but please know it is also were the conversations are being recorded so you must be carefull with what you say. I was told that every thing is being monitored and then reviewed again later and if any thing wrong is said he will get a ticket for it later sometimes weeks later.so be carefull! but I am sure they are only looking for like gang crap so don't worry this won't apply to you Iam sure.  when you first get there in your car don't get out stay in your car, they DO see you but sometimes take for ever to come to you, I guess it depends on what is going on in there, yesterday when I got there they came to me right away but the last time it took them sometime to walk up to me. A guard will come to you with a clip board to get your ID information then he/she will have you drive up to the visiting parking space to have the car checked. Do your self a favor leave every thing in the motel because this way they can let you go inside as soon as possible.if they see your trunk is empty they will check the engine and under the seats but this way it will be easy for them to check it all. Get there early because one thing the guard did tell me is that your visit can be rejected if you are late, That if the assistant working that day wants to refuse the visit because you are late they will turn you away and that it has happend in the past the distance you travel doesn't matter so please get there early at least 1/2 hour early.Just Kill them with kindness I found that even if I see someone with a ugly face I still thank them for their help and it helps releave some of the stress and the ugly face does turn into a smile( well so far so good)  I hope your visit will be as pleasent if there is any thing I can let you know just ask I am glad I can help!

[peanuts]

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit!! Congrats!!!

[EMERALD]

Thanks for the info Miweso, betwwen you and Jewels, I think Im quite well informed now and ready for anything!!  Cheers.. >>

[EMERALD]

Just one more tiny question Miweso..Did they keep you hanging around long before you got to see your man?  Was there a queue of visitors waiting to get in? Do you know if it gets busy up there on weekends?  Oops, sorry, that was 3 questions!! Oh, one more, was he in the room when you went in?

[Wolf | Lover]

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kastor/ws-98/Illinois-Supermax.html

[gripper]

My nephew is being sent to Tamms from Pontiac.........been in some trouble there.   What can he expect when he gets there?  Thanks for your help.

[EMERALD]

He will probably have all his property taken from him and have to earn it back. As far as I know, he will have to "earn" anything over there. My guy has been at Tamms for 8 years and now has a TV and radio. If he behaves himself, he will be OK. It is all isolation, 23hours a day locked down. The staff seemed to be OK. They seem to get better medical attention than most places.  I do hope your nephew can work his way back out very soon. >> If you want any more information, there are a few people on here with loved ones in Tamms.

[gripper]

Thanks, Em.  I knew it was going to be rough on him and Im not sure he knows it.  But when you screw up, you gotta expect some consequences.  Its gonna take some time.

[dancer]

He's going to need a lot of letters.   He will not be able to make phone calls.  Was he sent there for a certain amount of time?   
I write a lot of men at Tamms.  I try to send them colorful photos or cards and envelopes because they don't see much color.  He'll need books too.  You can send about  10 at a time.  If books are hardcover,  the staff will  remove the covers. 

[jewels]

Emerald, you said your guy has a radio and tv, but all the guys I know there have had to choose between one or the other, unless this rule has changed?

[EMERALD]

Sorry about that Jewels, yes youre right. He has a walkman and TV. He is talking about getting rid of the TV and getting his radio back instead. Gripper, if you can do it, he could most likely need some money on his book, im not sure if they let new guys go to store but if he has got a little money, it will certainly make his life a little easier.  My guy says he buys a little extra and leaves it in the yard for the new guys who have nothing.  ?>

[Kinnysbaby]

Tamms is the Supermax in Illinois. They do put people there who can not deal with being in the other prisons. It has not been open very long, I think maybe about 5 yrs. The have a cell to themselves, like said above you must earn everthing. The cells are metal sinks, toliet and the bed is metal with a mattress that is not comfortable. You are isolated from everyone else. It is a prison to not only protect the inmates, but guards and other IDOC employess because of the inmates behavior. Some people can deal with prisons other can'ts and hopefully this place with make them realize when you do the crime you do the time and get out with problems. I am not trying to sound cruel here but as others know i try my best not to sugar coat anything, because we are in this together, and we are here to help and support others. Hopefully your son will go there and see that he has to calm his attitude and just do his time. I don't know how long he will have to be there, but i will keep him in my prayers as i do the others. i have a article around here somewhere about Tamms i have to find it and when i do i will pm you and get your address to mail it to you. Some critics are not happy about the way the prison is run in tems of you have to write the warden and they ok your visits and lets you know when they are, you can not just go out there like you can at the other facilities. I am not to sure about the phone calls and how they are run, but like said above the inmate is shackled going to and from places within the prison. The place in out in farm land location and the drive from Chicago i believe is about 5 hours, i am not sure about that either, because i have never been there. my husband is out Danville. I hope this information helps you out.

take care
Cherokee

[dancer]

I have read a lot about Tamms.  The inmates there are not just ones who have assaulted staff and other inmates.  Half of them are "administrative detainees".  Unfortunately many are mentally ill, and being there makes them worse.
There are different behavior levels.  They did used to have to choose between a TV and a radio,  after they were at the level they could buy one,  but now they can have a walkman AND their TV.  it was a big deal.  The guys were really excited about having a walkman. 
Fortunately,  due to law suits or whatever,  a number of guys have gotten out of there.  It has been open since  1998. 

[EMERALD]

The guys cannot make phone calls either. There was talk (rumour) a while ago that those on the highest level, may soon get calls, but like I say, just another prison rumour. ?>

[Forevermah]

 Some History on Tamms ..

ILLINOIS OPENS "SUPERMAX" CONTROL UNIT PRISON IN TAMMS

As the trend towards imprisonment, and state sponsored torture sweeps the nation, the people of Illinois are not left unscathed. Despite CEML’s resistance, the State of Illinois led by Governor Jim Edgar has proudly built its own Super Max prison in Tamms, Illinois, known as "Tamms C-Max." The institution was opened on March 8, 1998 and before the DOC has even filled all 500 cells, there are already reports of atrocities stemming from extreme sensory deprivation, which is causing inmates to smear feces and urine on themselves, engage in acts of self-mutilation, and attempt suicide.

The Creation of Tamms

In 1992, Governor Edgar created the Illinois Task Force on Crime and Corrections to solve the overcrowding crisis in Illinois prisons. The Task Force was created to propose solutions that both protected public safety and did so in a manner the tax-payers in Illinois could afford. The Task Force consisted primarily of white males from law enforcement backgrounds. Although the meetings were open to spectators, speakers had to be invited by Task Force members. The Task Force recommended the extension of good time to prisoners and increasing drug, educational, and work programs for inmates. However, the crux of their recommendations was to build a state control unit prison and an additional 5,000 cells in the state (including transforming a high school in virtually all-Black East St. Louis into a prison).

When CEML learned the Task Force was considering a control unit prison, it requested to speak to the Task Force and present evidence criticizing the nature of and function of control unit prisons. The Task Force refused to allow CEML the opportunity to present any evidence, or open up their process to receive accurate information in opposition to control unit prisons.

CEML then took its message to the streets, holding a protest outside the Task Force’s meeting and distributing a formal response to the Task Force’s recommendations. CEML members also traveled to Tamms to speak with members of the community regarding the evils of control unit prisons. CEML’s response to the Task Force proposals exposed the hypocrisy of their recommendation. Demonstrating that the building of a control unit and additional prison cells would fail to decrease crime in the public or prison population. Such construction would only serve to create human rights abuses, primarily against people of color, and expend precious financial resources better spent on schools and social programs throughout the state.

The Task Force and Governor proceeded full steam ahead, disregarding the overwhelming evidence against control unit prisons, and the State legislature passed the Task Force’s recommendation to build a control unit. Towns and cities in desperate need for jobs began a bidding war to be the location for the control unit prison. Eventually, the state selected Tamms as the site of the new control unit prison, in the southern tip of the state.

The Structure of Tamms

The structure and purpose of Tamms was patterned after control unit models sweeping the nation. In fact, Warden George Welborn proudly boasts he toured the infamous S.H.U.- Pelican Bay State Prison in California before designing Tamms. According to Welbourne, "Tamms is not about rehabilitation, it’s about punishment . . . some people may never leave."

Not surprisingly, prisoners at Tamms are forced to spend 24 hours a day, close to seven days a week in their single 8' x 10' concrete cement cells, which contain concrete beds, and stainless steel sinks, toilets, and mirrors. Although each cell has a window, the windows cannot be opened and the only way to look out of them is to stand on the bed. The doors to each cell, similar to the doors at Pelican Bay’s S.H.U., are made of metal wire mesh which make it difficult to look out. Although the doors allow sounds to travel inside and outside the cell, a large echoing effect is created making communication difficult and painful. Further, guards have plexiglass shields which can be placed over the doors which completely isolate the prisoner inside his cell.

Tamms consists of a series of tunnels with electronically controlled doors. The majority of prisoners’ movements outside of their cell are controlled by these electric doors which cut down on any contact they have with other prisoners or guards.

Tamms consists of several units with glass control centers which are flanked by 3 pods. The units are designed to provide all services and needs to the prisoners to keep them inside the unit. Each unit has its own medical station and a small inadequate law library (prisoners report the library is lacking many necessary forms and books) which cuts down on the prisoners opportunity to leave the unit.

The yard is a 12 ‘ x 30’ enclosed, empty box with concrete cement walls and floor. The ceiling is composed partially of steel slates and wire mesh which allows a minimal amount of fresh air and sunshine. Prisoners report that the yard is overbearingly hot on summer days, and during yard time prisoners are not allowed to have any water. (If the prisoner needs water during yard his time is terminated.)

All visits, legal or personal, are non-contact visits conducted in glass boxes through a glass window with a voice activated system. During these visits, the prisoners are handcuffed to their chairs. Without any rational explanation, the prisoners are strip searched and their rectums are probed both before and after each non-contact visit.

In fact, whenever a prisoner leaves his cell (not including yard and shower) he is strip searched, probed, and shackled. When a prisoner is shackled, his wrists are handcuffed through the slot in his door, he is forced to his knees, where he must bend over while the guards apply chains to his legs. Guards search the prisoner's cell every time he is out of it, and routinely guards handcuff prisoners to a "slave hook" in the cell while searching it when he is present. It is a common practice for guards to use pepper spay on prisoners and conduct cell extractions in full riot gear.

Who Is At Tamms

Tamms classifies prisoners as either disciplinary segregation candidates or as administrative detainees. The disciplinary candidates allegedly have recent infractions in other state institutions. The definition of who constitutes an administrative detainee is broad enough as to be meaningless. It is not only the catch-all of the institutional security, but also institutional "integrity"-- and they can be anyone whom the IDOC determines to be a gang member.

Administrative detainees receive notice of their transfer and a hearing within 10 days of arrival, but many prisoners report that they never received any notice regarding their transfer to Tamms, and were not provided a hearing to present evidence or challenge the alleged reason for theit transfer (rather they have a short meeting with a prison official and social worker). They are not allowed to challenge the evidence (often "secret" evidence) used to brand them as dangerous gang members or escapees.

In one case, a prisoner at Tamms was transferred to the institution as an administrative detainee for his alleged status in a gang. This prisoner renounced his gang status and involvement two years prior to his transfer, and at his prior institution worked in the officer’s kitchen. At his former institution, the prisoner lived in the general population and apparently posed no risks to the institution. However, according to DOC intelligence, this prisoner was deemed to be part of a gang, and he could not challenge the secret evidence or uncover the source of information used to support his transfer to Tamms. Many suspect it was the prisoner’s successful suits against the DOC which bought him his one way ticket to Tamms.

The Illinois DOC does not have any policies regarding the admission and transfer of administrative detainees. It is unclear what kind of proof, if any, is needed for the DOC to brand an individual a gang member or threat to the security of the institution. Many prisoners report that previous infractions stemming from 15 year old incidents were used to support their transfer to Tamms, even though they already served time in segregation for these incidents at their previous facilities.

Regardless of whether a prisoner is transferred to Tamms as a disciplinary candidate or administrative detainee, the prisoner has a mandatory minimum sentence of one year there. One year of extreme isolation.

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kastor/ws-98/Illinois-Supermax.html

[EMERALD]

Mah, I just read that last post of yours and the last line got to me a bit. My guy has been locked up in isolation there for going on 9 years!!  How can this be allowed to happen?  One other thing, as stated, they do have a window which can only be accessed by climbing up on the bunk. This window and the whole building is so heavily soundproofed that the men in there can never hear the wind or the thunder or a bird sing, nothing!! How can this be right? How can a modern country allow this treatment to their own? Okay, these men are no angels, but to all intents and purposes, they are human. *(&#  Although after however long inside that place, I despair of many men's sanity. I know I'm going on a bit here but surely this treatment is against human rights.

[dancer]

I totally agree with you Emerald and I feel very strongly about it. Many of them were sent to Tamms indefinitely.  Many of the men have NEVER had a visit of any kind since they were sent there in  1998.  I have been told the staff was ruthless in throwing out their personal belongings.  There is a high percentage of gang members in the max prisons.  I think they put the leaders in Tamms.  They want to force information out of them.  They  cannot leave Tamms until they "renounce" and give up names and other information.  They put men in Tamms because they had filed a lot of lawsuits. I finally got an email back from the Tamms Committee but hear nothing about what they are doing,  when they meet,  what their goals are.  I am overwhelmed with the needs of the men there.  I took a social work continusing education class yesterday on self injurious behavior  ( primarily cutting) and took an extra 5 copies of the free booklets to send to men at Tamms who are cutters. From what I hear,  they put them together in one pod.  People will do desperate things to have human contact!  I am not saying this is the only reason for cutting,  but in extreme isolation,  a person may  refuse to come out of the cell,  knowing they will be "extracted" from their cell,  for the human contact!  A former pto admin,  who was a social worker,  talked about her guy doing this.  He had been in prison since he was  15.  I truly believe people just cannot function  when they are on "empty".  They need to offer them incentives for improved behavior,  that would have fairly immediate results.  They need to allow them to be able to spend time together,  if they have not been violent. 

[EMERALD]

Dancer, yes you're so right when you say they should reward the guys with interaction with others if they have behaved for a certain amount of time.  At the moment, they can reach the maximum good boy time and can go no further but be constantly under the threat of getting what little they do earn by good behaviour, taken away from them for the most ridiculous infringements. It feels as though this place has been forgotten by everyone. Who are these people you mention,the Tamms Committee? What have they done for the men in Tamms? Come to that, what can I do for the men there? Especially my own man who , by a miracle, still has his sanity, for how much longer, who knows?

[dancer]

Emerald,  I can email you the contact person for the Tamms Committee.  I have yet to hear what they are doing and it is my number 1 concern of the IL prison system.  I have contacted maybe a half dozen prison ministries,  trying to get support people for them.  I am well aware they do not allow groups of volunteers to come in and talk to them but individuals can get to know them,  get on their visit lists, and visit.  I guess just when I feel I am pounding my head against the wall,  I have one of the men write me and tell me that they have a new penpal,  and they are excited and happy. 
I have tried to help the guys by sending them books, and by posting ads for them at lost vault.  Often the informal contacts of asking someone to write them,  work out the best.  I have asked the men for names of the mentally ill men there. They truly are desperate and in need of support.  I try to write quite a few once a month myself,  while trying to still get them their own support person.  I have file folders of articles on Tamms and the names of all the men that I know of,  who are there.  I did not realize that the Tamms committee had done this.  I have no idea how they got this information.  I got various lists from other advocates, and then the men gave out my name,  which I gave them permission to do.  I don't want any man there not to have any voice outside the prison.  
Yesterday I took a continuing education class for social workers on self injurious behaviors.  Many of these men cut themselves.  I will be sending in materials from the class to some of the men who cut. 
Two men I know have written books.   I have not read their books,  but the poetry of PD,  who used to be at Tamms,  is excellent.  Also JW at Tamms writes lyrics.  They are copywrited.  He wanted help selling them.  He sent me one called "daddy's last kiss" about the babies born after their father's died in the 9/11 disaster.  It is very moving! 
There are many ways to help these men!  I have to do what I can, and be content with that.  I will tell all of you,  they are very grateful  for anything you do.  What is amazing is that just ONE person who befriends them and even writes them once or twice a month,  can make a big impact on their lives.  They crave someone who cares in their lives,  who will listen to them.  If any of you would like to consider writing one of them,  please PM me.   I  also have listed over  25 on lostvault.com   You can click under the states and just look at IL inmates. 

[EMERALD]

Thanks Dancer, maybe I would like to have the contact # or address of the Tamms committee, I would be interested in finding out who they are and what they do. Could you PM me with it please?  I shall be visiting again next April/May and am looking forward so much to seeing my man again.  He is one of the lucky ones who has his Mom visit twice a month which must make all the difference for him.  >>

[Scout]

I'm not sure if my contact for the Tamms Committee is the same one that dancer has.  There is a lady involved in the HJR steering committee who represents the Tamms Committee.  I have emailed her and asked if there's a public contact I can give out (phone, email..whatever).  I'll post it here should I get a response.

[dancer]

Dazzler gave me the email for Cynthia.  After emailing her a few times,  I did get a response saying I would be added to her contact list.  However I still have heard nothing about what they do or are working on. 

[dancer]

Here is what one of the men I know at Tamms sent me for a penpal ad. I thought I would share it. 
Dear Reader
I write this candid please about the "cruel and unusual punishment" inflicted upon many prisoners in the State of Illinois.  What defines cruel and unusual?  Children being isolated and confined to a cell 23 hours a day to a cell for the rest of their natural life. ... rejected,  ignored, and forgotten.  A sentence to life in numbers at the age of  15 years old for me, and I have to do it in a closed supermax,  equals cruel and unusual punishment. Most poeple who commit a crime as a child, and who are serving life sentences as a result, are not "bad" people.  Everyone has made wrong choices,  bad decisions and mistakes in their youth.
The only acknowledgement of our existence is buried away in the form of a five digit number in the bowels of an Illinois computer with even less heart thatn a professional bureaucrat.  This lock 'em up and throw away the key mentality has created hopelessness among the pained and shackled isolated withint the IL department of Correction.
Isolation "solitary confinement" is an awful thing,  it crushes your spirit.  It deprives you of the most basic comforts.. a hand to hold,  a face to kiss.. a shoulder to lean on.. an ear to listen.  The loneliness is  depressive.  I myself and countless others try to focus our attention on something Positive,  But we don't see to be doing too good on our own!  I realize this situation is "too big" to be tackled alone.. would you be willing to help?  Donating?   sending something to read?  magazines, books,  a letter?  new or something old you might have just waiting to go in the trash.  I sit idly in a cell fighting a severe emotional battle within myself with no programs,  activities,  incentives or meaninful release mechanisms, etc.  For many like me with little support,  Tamms is a one way ride on a psychological roller coaster, ,...down hill. 
From the outside looking in,  it may be difficult for you to understand the inflated value of "something to read".  But to a man who has suffered severe depressions since childhood "something to read"  gives me a small measure of comfort,  of hope..  a sense of being... human
I'd be gratefl for all you kindly like to share,  so that,  I also may share with others similarly situated. 
I humbly pray this appeal to a genuinely concerned person with human rights and dignity is well received and you will assist this lifer to achieve a semblance of normalcy. 
Thank you and take care.

[dancer]

I have posted quite a few things that Tamms inmates have written me about,  and today I'd like to tell you about things I heard from the staff there.   I called on behalf of one of my penpals there who is not doing well. 
The windows are high up,  but fairly long and about a foot wide.  They do not do rectal searches unless there appears to be something sticking out of their rectum when they bend over.  ( I just had to ask him about that).   He said they do not have solid doors but "waffle" type doors and so they inmates can communicate with those around them, and do.   They however,  cannot go to yard with other inmates,  programs,  etc.  They feel we exaggerate the conditions there.  When inmates have a lot of tickets,  they must be ticket free for a year in order to earn the right to purchase a TV set.  He said some "get with the program" and others do not. 
Also,  I told him some time I would like to come down and visit  about 8 of the inmates there.  He only was mildly surprised  and said theoretically it would take 8 days.  He didn't rule out getting permission to visit more than one a day,  but said the logistics would be difficult.  They only allow  3 visitors in the building at once,  you have to have the inmate sign that paper,  etc.  They don't have visits on Mondays or Fridays,  unless Monday is a holiday.  ( Never in my wildest dreams would I expect that to all go smoothly!  )  He said to contact the assistant warden,  explain my intentions, etc. 

[jewels]

Can anyone help with these urgent questions please from a new member?

"I have a family member who has been in Tamms since it opened. He is not due for Parole for another 5 years. He has always believed they will keep him there until he is release.

Earlier this week I received a letter from him asking me to check into rumors. (Inmate Communication)

He says recently Tamms has begun transferring inmates to other facilities. He was told that these transfers will effect approx 103 people.

He asked me to check into several Class Action Lawsuits that have been in process over the years. I've had no success.

Have you heard anything in relation to inmate transfers?

How long will he have to kept at Tamms?   "

 ././/

[staciousc]

 hc

Tamms Correction: Have you heard anything in relation to recent inmate transfers out of Tamms?

[EMERALD]

My guy has been in Tamms since almost the start. This sounds interesting and I wish I could tell you I knew something. He hasnt mentioned anything except to say that things have got worse down there for the guys. He has been very down lately which has me worried. I hope someone comes along who can tell us what's going on. ^%$#

[Kinnysbaby]

When they send someone to Tamms, it is with the intentions for some to be there for long periods of time or to get them either out of the gangs they are involved with or for their own protection. Some were sent there because the have assaulted or killed fellow inmates or quards. There has been a study that long term isolation can cause serious health problems for mental issues. I have not heard of any transfers from Tamms, but in time we should hear something.

Cherokee

[jewels]

I seem to recall a mini-mass transfer a few months ago, or talk of one? Seems I have CRS as well as everything else!

[ejbjcats]

My husband told me just today that he knows several men who have transferred from Tamms to Pontiac.  I don't know the details.  Don't give up hope!  Pray!

[waiting4derek]

Does all this apply to even those transferred to the MSU at Tamms. I'm confused because my bf's friend was transferred from Stateville Reception to Vienna (in about 2 1/2 weeks) and then again to Tamms MSU within 2 more weeks or so.

His x-wife and sister said this was a good move for him? These postings do not sound so good.

[EMERALD]

No, dont worry waitin, Tamms MSU is vastly different from the super max.
It sits in the same grounds though and the inmates from minimum, get the jobs of cleaning and keeping the grounds and grass in order.
When I visited Tamms, I would see the minimum guys wandering around.  I'd think how lucky they were compared to the max guys.
So it really is a good move for your inmate except for the long drive down to the southern most tip of the state! kjfd

[zenyatta]

http://videos.bnd.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=7413094&item_index=&genre_id=00001528

There is a 2 minute version and a 17 minute version.

[EMERALD]

Oh WOW, thanks for that Z....Very interesting, only trouble is the sound cut out at 2 mins, is that supposed to happen?

[zenyatta]

I noticed the same thing about the sound, which is too bad.  I tried two different browsers - same results.

Oh WOW, thanks for that Z....Very interesting, only trouble is the sound cut out at 2 mins, is that supposed to happen?

[becca]

Where is Tamms?  What is Tamms?  Are all the prisons like this?   Why the "dog kennels" in the yard?  I did not get any sound just watched both films.

[zenyatta]

Oh where to start?  Tamms is the only super max in Illinois - Tamms, IL.  I just visited my pen pal there.  It is an awful place.  If you click through this slideshow it will explain what some of the images are:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-090223-tamms-photogallery,0,1614579.photogallery

These images are much brighter and cheerier than the videos.
They are basically in solitary confinement 23 -24 hours/day.
The locked cages (dog kennels) are where inmates in the J-Pod unit are allowed to exercise alone for up to an hour a day. Inside each cage is one pull-up bar. J-pod is the mental health unit.
Most of the inmates in Tamms are not in J-Pod.  Their "yard" is different.  It's in the video and the slide show.  Tamms has no mess hall.  The inmates are served the food trays through the chuck hole in the door. 
There is a lot more info about Tamms.  I posted about my visit. 
www.bnd.com has had some great articles in the last few months.

One thing that I've never noticed anyone talk about is what this is doing do the physical health of the inmates.  Vitamin D deficiency is a huge problem right now.  Every singe person living in Tamms must be hugely deficient in Vit. D.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I have misstated anything.

Where is Tamms?  What is Tamms?  Are all the prisons like this?   Why the "dog kennels" in the yard?  I did not get any sound just watched both films.

[pac5401]

My son just called from Vienna and said they are moving him to Tamms Work unit. 

I really hope that is the case, because he was not admitted to the Boot Camp down in Vienna due to his mental illness. Now reading about J-Pod scares me to death!

I'm registered with VINE, so will hear when he moves though.

[pac5401]

I am really scared now. My son does have gang tattoos, and he has bipolar disorder - he was to have gone to Boot Camp, but not accepted due to his mental illness. Now they say he's going to Tamms from Vienna. He has had no problems at Vienna. He says he's going to the work camp, but what if he misunderstood?  Vienna had given him an out date of Sept 2011.   

[EMERALD]

pac...please dont worry about this too much.   If your son has had no trouble at his current facility, I highly doubt he would be going to the Supermax, if that is what you are worried about.

Guys are sent there for bad behaviour and gang affilliation.  I would be extrememly surprised if he was sent to J pod.

The work camp looks, from an outsiders point of view, pretty good.

keep us updated and i'm sure we will be hearing good things from you.

[pac5401]

I'm sure I will know more next week. He thought he might even move today, he said they cancelled his commissary visit at Vienna and were moving him to the transport area after lunch.

There sure is not a lot of information out there about the Minimum Security Unit ....

[HisGirl]

Hi Pac:

Hopefully you will learn something soon. I am also hoping that someone will be along that knows more about Tamms, and the work camp than I do.

Did you get a  chance to find out if your son had an altercation with anyone at Vienna or perhaps a CO there when he told you he was being moved?

I will be praying for him and the best possible outcome.

[HisGirl]

Pac:

I just noticed in rereading your post that you said he had no problems at Vienna. Maybe you could call his counselor, the one he had in Vienna, to find out why they moved him.

[pac5401]

Today's update call from him was that now he thinks he's being moved back up to Stateville R&C for reclassification since he had a medical discharge from Boot Camp.  He is really frustrated too, but said they told him he will transport to wherever on Wednesday.   

Do they typically transfer people this often? This will be his 4th transfer since August, when he went into the system! 

[Marks_guy]

Part of the problem is trying to balance the judge's recommendation with the regulations of the IDOC. Your son evidently didn't fit the boot camp criteria, so now the IDOC has to figure out what to do with him. Hopefully everything gets worked out soon.