CENTRALIA Correctional Center

[Dazzler]

Centralia Correctional Center
Bradley J. Robert, Warden

Facility Data
Centralia Correctional Center
Opened: October 1980
*Operational Capacity: 1,571
Medium Security Adult Male
*Current Population: 1,534
Average Age: 33
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $20,146
*As of 11/30/2011. Reflects bed space capacity analysis as outlined in the January 1, 2012 Quarterly Report to the Legislature.

Visiting Hours

IDOC Visitation Rules and Information—please review before visiting

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.

The following visiting hours are currently in effect for inmate visitors at the Centralia Correctional Center:

General population

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. All visits must be in by 2:30 p.m. each day.

Segregation/non-contact

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. All non-contact visits must be in by 1:00 p.m. In addition, there will be no weekend or holiday segregation/non-contact visits.

All visiting rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to by inmates and inmate visitors. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, as appropriate, and may also result in permanent or temporary restriction of visiting privileges for the inmate visitor.

Facility Address

Business Mail:
9330 Shattuc Road
P.O. Box 1266
Centralia, IL 62801

Inmate Mail:
Inmate Name & IDOC#
P.O. Box 7711
Centralia, IL 62801

Phone: (618) 533-4111
Fax: (618) 533-4112
Facility Information

The Centralia Correctional Center strives to create a healthful environment, which provides the individual offender a humane and secure term of incarceration.  It is a medium security adult male facility.

The facility consists of 46 buildings, which comprise of 335,689 square feet. The living units consist of three housing unit clusters with a total of 14 housing units, one receiving unit, one segregation unit and a 15-bed health care unit. The facility sits on 100 acres with 50 acres enclosed by fencing.

Inmate Programs

Academic:

    ABE (Adult Basic Education)
    GED (General Education Development)
    Two-year College Academic

Vocational:

    Construction Occupations
    Custodial Occupations
    Electronics
    Food Service
    Job Preparedness Training

Industries:

    Mattress Shop
    Sewing Shop

Volunteer Services:

    Chaplaincy
    Volunteer Literacy

Other:

    Library
    Life Skills
    Alcoholics Anonymous
    Narcotics Anonymous
    Substance Abuse
    Anger Management
    Leisure Time Services
    Chaplaincy
    Lifestyles Redirection Program
    TRAC 1
    Reentry Summits

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

[dancer]

I made two trips to see C at Centralia.  It looks kind of like a college campus,  like Robinson does.  There were neighbors dogs on the grounds.  I found myself the most irritated I have ever gotten in a prison ,at Centralia.  It is a 13 hour drive from my home and I had one hassle after the other about extended visits!  I would call first and follow up with written letters and still be denied them.  the visit room would be empty,  but they would tell me "in fairness to others,  they could not approve them".  I was furious.  I really make a huge effort to see C,  and it is maybe 6 to 7 months between visits.  It's exhausting to drive that far by myself. 
 I stayed at the Bell Tower Inn in town.  The prison is straight west I think,  till you see a sign "don't pick up hitchhikers" and a college is there, and you turn right til you see the prison. 
The selection for vending machines was good and the prices average. 
The pat search was just basic, and it was pretty easy to visit there, and the wait not very long til you are able to visit. 
It was 50 cents for a locker.  The  jewelry rule is one ring only,  one necklace, one set of earrings,  one bracelet. 

[dancer]

Some of this duplicating.  Here is another post I made about Centralia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Centralia truly is in the middle of no where! I can't think of the road now, which leads there.

The Bell Tower Inn is your best bet for a hotel to stay in while you visit Centralia. The phone is 618 533 1300. It's about a 5 minute drive from the prison.

Centralia is a bit more kid friendly. I saw toddlers able to run a little bit near the tables. They had some toys but I never saw kids use them.
The procedure varied on using the restroom during a visit. I think once I had a pat down, the other time not. My son was able to use the restroom there in the visit room also, with a pat down. This meant he didn't have to hold back drinking much during the visit.
Centralia was the worst prison to deal with for an extended visit. It is 700 miles from my home, yet they did not answer my letters for an extended visit. If you call, they say put it in a letter. But they never write back. Then they say that the warden is the only person who can approve the extended time, and he didn't get to it. Another time they said they are not approving any extended visits, "in fairness to all". As you can imagine, the visiting room is not crowded. It was very upsetting to try so hard, drive so far, and not get extended time.
C said he had a lot more freedom than he did at Lawrence. You can go to the library, for example, without an escort. Other inmates can be in your cell. Sometimes that meant he didn't have quiet time to study or write letters. He played a lot of basketball when he was there.
Centralia is a low brick series of buildings and almost looks like a small college campus. I was struck by how odd it seemed to see some inmates with orange on the shoulder, by the road, not behind gates or barbed wire.
When you arrive for a visit, you will be seated in the visiting room, with your loved one/friend, probably within 20 minutes. Don't bother coming early though, as they will not let you even sign in til 9am.
The lockers were 50 cents.
you can have only one ring on your finger, one set of earrings, one necklace, one bracelet.
You should have your social security card as one of your ID's and your driver's license or state ID for the other. I did not have my adult daughter's social security card and panicked when I visited alone first, and saw "proof of social security number". This means you can use a health insurance card that includes SSN. I had some actual coorespondance from SS on her SSI and that worked for the day she visited.

[Doll4BabyBoy]

I am needing some information on Centralia
if anyone has a loved one/husband there and
knows the answers I would appreciate it!

1. How long are the visits?

2. Can inmate have a blk TV & radio or do they have to purchase
clear in the facility?

3. Is the inmates locked in cell 23 hours out of 24?

4. How is the phone privileges?    Do they get the phone
in there cell as well in the yard? Do they go through Consolidated phone company?

5. How is the visits?  Do you have to sit across the table
from them, can you kiss when you enter and when you
leave?  Can the inmate move or do they have to stay
seated?

6.. Do they allow Marriages in this facility? Is is certain months
you can Marry?


**  I know i have alot of questions, My fiance is wanting to
check into some differant facilities and is thinking about
transferring so I would like to know how the facility is before
he puts in for it **

Thank you so much for your help!

[CMarie1881]

My guy is in Centralia...he has been in there for almost 18 months and is trying to get transferred out.  I personally don't like Centralia- most of the c/o's are terribly rude.  Visits are 5 hours M-F,3 hours on weekends and holidays.  Visits run from 8 AM-4PM and you have to be signed in by 2.  You are allowed to kiss and hug when you get there and when you leave.  Some c/o's will let you have a few minutes, but most break you up pretty quickly.  Touching is limited to hand holding and they are pretty strict about it.  You have to sit across from each other and he has to stay seated during the visit. The visiting room is usually ice cold!  They have a lot of free movement, the cells are open until 9 PM and they can have a blk TV and radio.  They are picky about shoes.  J bought a pair at Illinois River and when he got to Centralia they told him that the shoes had "too much gray" in them so he had to buy another pair.  Phone privileges are pretty good, they can start calling at 8 AM up until 8:30 PM.  There aren't phones on the yard or in the cells.  I think all IDOC calls go through Consolidated.  You can get married at Centralia.  Your guy has to ask for a marriage packet and after you guys turn it in and it gets approved they will give you a date.

[gloriab]

Hi guys,
My son has been approved for a transfer from IL River to Centralia. I just called there and they tell me he is allowed a total of 5 visits per month, weekday or weekend. I'm reading posts and understanding that visits on weekends are for only 3 hours, is this true? Could someone give me update and as much info as you have available. It's going to be a very long drive for me and I want to make the most of my visits. Where's the best place to stay? How much? Reservations? Thanks all for any bit of info you can give me. What a blessing to get him out of IL River. IL River is 18/6 lockdown...my son says its the closest to hell he hopes he'll ever be.
Gloria

[gloriab]

Hi ladie, been a long time since I posted.Am going to take a run down to Centralia thankgiving mornineg. If I can planned better I cold have taken AMTRAK from Union station for al of $38. each way. I hear there are cabs rite there to get you to the facility. Kind of makes driving look foolish. You get here in 4 hrs with no traffic to worry about. Got to check that out when I go an see just how doable it really is. An for those who share my pain at not having our loved ones with us (again) for a holiday please remember, this to shall pass.  One day soon each of us will be bring him home and this will seem like a bad bad dream. Until that time remember when prayers go up blessings come down. God Bless each of you and yor family during these days again.

Gloria

[wild]

Vending machine cards cost $1 and you are allowed to bring in 2 cards with a max of 20.00 on each card. you must bring .50 for a locker to lock up your ID and keys, I recommend leaving as much as you can in the car. All the CO's were polite and professional on the days that I visited, and some of them were even nice!

[Mommato3lilLadies]

My LO just got transfered to Centralia!! Finally! After 8 weeks in R&C! I just have one question. When I go to pick up my LO when he is released, do I need to come in and sign any paper work or can I just sit and wait for him?

[mamielane]

You just go in and tell them who you are there to pick up,depending on the CO they will either let you sit in the gatehouse or have you wait in your car.

[Mommato3lilLadies]

okay thank you!

[mamielane]

I recently found out that at Centralia the inmates are allowed to have card games.Hasbro/Milton Bradley have made the classic boardgames into card form for road trips etc. Monopoly,Sorry,Clue,Scrabble Slam,etc. Kmart carries a big selection.They are allowed to have 3 sent to them.Uno,Skip-Bo,Phase-10,also.As long as there is no board,or game pieces they allow it. And they got them to him 2 days after I sent them!

[whymyson]

Why don't the other correctional centers allow other card games to be sent to inmates like those mentioned. I know they sell decks of cards at the commissary, but heard the only thing that can be mailed are magazines and books and newspapers. I even offered to donate some newer decks of cards for the visitor's room at Logan and was told, sorry they can't allow that. The ones we borrowed to use were all sticky and hard to shuffle.

[Marks_guy]

That's one of the things that is frustrating about IDOC. There is little consistancy between the prisons. Some allow these types of games to be sent to inmates, some allow porn. And the rules change about every 5 minutes.

[mamielane]

I agree! At Illinois River you could buy cards out of the vending machine.When he transferred to Centralia,I asked about cards,they said they aren't allowed in the visiting room,BECAUSE THE CO'S GOT CAUGHT GAMBLING! Call the mail room or the property room and ask,what can it hurt? 

[suelovespedro]

you can use the cards and you can buy them there 2 i use it all the time there

[rissa7997]

My fiance was transferred to Centralia yesterday. I talked to him tonight and his list was already approved for visitation :) Can anyone give me some information on the dress code and what to expect when I go there...like how much it costs for the debit card and all that fun stuff? I would appreciate it :) I want to go Friday... I cannot wait till I get to see him.

[free2beeme39]

Centralia is one of the better prisons as a visitor......they are not really strict on dress code...shirt must have sleeves...they allow shorts but not real short..... I normally wear cappris so I don't have a problem...the cards cost one dollar each, you can have 2 & can put 20 dollars on each one...be careful about going over 20... if over I think 24 you have to use it in the sandwich machines first before you can use it in the soda machines cause it will tell you the balance it to high....but no biggie...most sandwiches/burgers are 4.00...When you go to visit make sure you are there by no later than 11-11:15 is pushin it....or they will make you wait till 1pm, after there mid day count. Lockers are 50 cents....you have to lock up your id & keys....no cell phones in the building, they will make you take it to your car...make sure you lock your car, cause they do check it & will pull you out of the visit to go & lock it. You can kiss & hug when he gets there & then again when you leave....you can hold hands on the tables during the visit....My L/O gives me a good kiss, just don't do it to long or you will get a warning. Any other questions feel free to ask. Enjoy your visit, the 1st one is always awesome, after not seein them for awhile. 

Terri 

[artist09]

how do you set up the mailing adress to someone in centralia?

[Marks_guy]

His name
His #
9330 Shattuc Road
P.O. Box 7711
Centralia, Il 62801

[artist09]

thank you so much!

[Kaila3]

thank you this helped me so much!

[Jackysmommy85]

Hi, I'll be visiting Centralia for the first time and our 3yr old is coming with. What are we allowed to take in with us? Can i bring a plastic bag with diapers and wipes? Also what is the nearest hotel chain?

[Forevermah]

Hi, I'll be visiting Centralia for the first time and our 3yr old is coming with. What are we allowed to take in with us? Can i bring a plastic bag with diapers and wipes? Also what is the nearest hotel chain?

Welcome to IPT!  Usually they make you change the baby before you go in for the visit and then you are allowed to take in a diaper and wipes. You'll have to see if someone who visits Centralia has the answers for you, or you can call the visiting room at Centralia and ask to be sure you know 100% what their procedures are.

Hope you have a great visit!

[tracyk]

Centralia changed alittle when you get there now you give them your id tell them your loved ones number go in get patted down come back out sign in then you getted patted down again before getting out of the main gate if you have cell phone liter or anything like that on you they wont let you visit that day just giving heads up for the ones that have a long drive

[billswife97]

i was there yesterday and saw at least 3 people turned away.

[tracyk]

i saw 1 last week and just left there and saw 2 when i was leaving

[willan23]

My son just got transferred to centrailia from R&C finally.  Any info any of you can provide on the facility would be appreciated.  are they in cells or dorms?  do they get out of their cells more than they do at stateville?  i'm hoping he can take more than 1 shower a week, that was just killing him while he was in R&C

[billswife97]

my husband is just there temporarily for court. so i don't know to much bu will tell you what i do know. he said they r out of there cells pretty much all day except at count time. he taxes a shower once a day. they r in cells. i hope my limited info helped a little. i am sure someone who has more knowledge of that facility will be along to answer more for you.

[Kaila3]

if this helps any of yall any my older brother is in centralia and its really not a bad prision when i went to visit the security guards were really nice, yu had to buy a 50 cent locker, and my advice bring ONE SINGLE DOLLAR BILL so that you can buy a debit card you can put up to $20 on so you can get food there and you can also buy your inmate food too. im just warning you its vending machince food and the burgers arent to great haha. butall you had to do is fill out paper work, get searched twice & go through a metal decator and then they stamp your hand with invisible ink. then they give you a pass and you walk to the next builiding. also if you have a baby or child with you make sure  you bring your own diapers & wipes because if you have to change your baby you have to do it infront of the security guard. but also if you take a minor with you and they arent with their parent then you have to have a letter from the warden giving you permission to let your child go with another adult. the letter has to be noterized and you have to bring a extra copy of the noterized letter and the wardens approval letter. we had my nephew ( my brothers baby boy) with me my dad and his grandma but they wouldnt let him go in to see his daddy on easter because his mom wasnt there :( it was a bummer. but anyways sorry i got side tracked after you walk to the next buliding you go through a big glass door and you put your hand under this light that shows the invisible ink on your hand and then after that they let you through to the next big glass door and you have to do that one more time then they will let you in the visiting room. when you get to the visit room you will see your inmate seated at a table and you can go and sit by them and have up to mabye a 4 hour vist. it was really nice & i will agree its one of the better prisions. but also more adivce make sure that you take less as possible with you or leave everything in your vehicle and make sure you park on the right side of he parking lot or they will make you go out and move your vehicle and it takes more time. hope this helped anyone.

[Kaila3]

one more thing, make sure you bring your ID every time and you know your inmates number. those are the main things you will need everytime. hope everyones visit goes gooood!!!!
my brother said that they have their own key to their cell, they dont have to be escorted anywhere they have a library a gym, the yard, and schooling there. he said the food is terrible though the only way he could describe it is aafter you get done washing dishes the nasty shit in the bottom of the sink drain you pull out hahahah. everything is so expensive there. so money is a needed thing too. if anyone has any questions feel free to ask. im going there again not this weekend but the next.(: