VANDALIA Correctional Center

[abc102906]

my dad is there and we go and see him about twice a month since its four hours away from rockford il. They treat the inmates as if they were in like a military but other then that my dad said its pretty decent they live in a dorm room setting and its good if they want to work because it has an awsome work camp and very good programs

Hello all!

Can anyone tell me about the conditions at Vandalia? My husband heard it's really strict there. He also heard they don't allow any electronics or hot pots... is that true? He has a year left and has thought about putting in for a transfer, but I guess he'd either go to East Moline or Vandalia. We know East Moline is cool, but it would be just his luck to get sent to Vandalia and if it's bad, that would suck. If anyone has info, please let me know.

Thanks!  ././/

[Briansgirl]

Some of you have asked about the conditions for inmates. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that some Black inmates (including my L/O) have been called Boy and other inappropriate comments. I have also heard a C.O. curse at an inmate for about 2 minutes straight while I was on the telephone with my L/O.  I will say that this is probably not the norm, not all of the C.O.'s are like this. It does happen on occasion.

I have not had any problems when I visited him. He is now at Vandalia Work Camp and it seems to be a little more relaxed and the C.O.'s don't seem to be as confrontational or disrespectful as some were "up the hill" at Vandalia.

[lspencer]

I visit my boyfriend with our 8 month old son every weekend at Vandalia. I live in Aurora so its about a 4 hour drive. I obviously LOVE visiting him and the people there are really nice! The inmates can not go to the vending machines with you any more though, someone messed that up for every one! When they search the babies they just make you take off their diaper and hat if they are wearing a hat. You get a 3 hour visit on the weekend and I think its 4 or 5 hours on the weekday. I usually go on the weekend so I don’t remember if its 4 or 5. Im pretty sure its 5 hours. The visiting room is NEVER full there. I have always gotten the full visit! We hold hands the whole time ,and he can also hold our son as much as he wants. Its really nice. Its easy to sneak more kisses in too when the guards arent looking  let me know if you have any other questions, im a pro at the visiting directions now…sad to say but its true!

[free2beeme39]

briansgirl...My L/O is also at the work camp in Vandalia, he works in pasteurizing. 

Terri 

[Tonysgirl]

I was wondering if they allow you to take strollers into the visiting rooms at vandalia...I ask this because my daughter is 2 years old and blind and cant walk yet and would have a hard time sitting in my lap the whole time or sitting in the chairs we have to sit in...Any other info you could give me would be greatly appreciated also, Tony just got sent to Vandalia today!

[Forevermah]

I was wondering if they allow you to take strollers into the visiting rooms at vandalia...I ask this because my daughter is 2 years old and blind and cant walk yet and would have a hard time sitting in my lap the whole time or sitting in the chairs we have to sit in...Any other info you could give me would be greatly appreciated also, Tony just got sent to Vandalia today!

Call the prison and ask, as this is a special request, explain the situation and see what they say.  You can find the # for Vandalia  on our prison profile board, this board in fact, first post:

(618) 283-4170

[Tonysgirl]

Called Vandalia! They said I could not bring in Lilahs stroller but they have high chairs she could sit in there so that is just as good... They told me they get 5 visits per month too... And you can have underwire on your bra... When I got on the phone with them they were very nice and explained things well... I appreciate this because when he was at graham and I called they talked to me like dirt... oh yeah and they said that it usually takes them between a few days and a few weeks for their visitors list and phone lists to be passed

[jna]

From the older posts, it looks like Vandalia is not as good as Taylorville. I wonder if they still have flooding in the basement and the guards treat them terrible. Can they Buy TV and radio and such? Anyone have a commissary list? Will appreciate any updated info.

[Briansgirl]

Jna-

My l/o is back at Vandalia, and happens to be in one of the basements. With all of the recent storms and rain, it has been seriously flooding. They are not able to have electronics other than a walkman. The commissary list is quite extensive and offers a variety of products. In my experience if you need anything special or extended visits, you will have more success with the female asst. warden. Good luck to you and your l/o and may we have them back home just as soon as possible.
                                                        - Briansgirl

[free2beeme39]

Vandalia is like any other prison....they have many really good guard but they also have a few bad apples! 

Terri 

[DreamWeaver]

I just left Vandaila after a 10 month stay. I must say that the conditions at that facility are sub standard compared to other facilities in Illinois.

First, the medical care there is as if you are getting no treatment at all, the inmate must submit a sick call request, the nurses screen you prior to a visit with the doctor. (Cleveland Rayford) If the nurse feels that you do not need to see the doctor, the inmate is SOL. If an inmate is lucky to be allowed to see the doctor, the doctor himself is a joke.... I base my opinion on his treatment of me. I submitted to him my medical records from my private doctor, along with x-ray reports from both Loyola, and MacNeal Hospitals. Rayford did not even look at them. He just asked me what was wrong with me, and what I wanted him to do. It took me 3 visits to him to get him to look at my medical records (after I filed a grievance). He still did nothing but continue the naprosyn (for severe pain in my hip and leg) (I need a total hip replacement).

Second, The guards treat the inmates like crap. I have seen maybe 4 guards that treated inmates with a little respect. The others well lets just say they thought we were all slaves. They swore at all inmates, ordered us around, and tried to get us to talk back to them. They would walk a person to SEG just for saying what was on your mind. If you asked to speak to a Lieutenant, ya go to SEG.

Third, The only electronics an inmate can have is a walkman, which is ordered from the commissary for the low price of around $50. Oh, an inmate can only have 2 batteries in their possession, and can only order batteries on commissary day, and they have to turn in the old batteries to get the new ones. When I left commissary was every two weeks. I hope they changed that back to every week.

Fourth, When I left they were still housing inmates in the basements, due to overcrowed conditions. Vandalia is housing 1845 inmates and was built to house around 900 inmates. There are 88 bunks in each Dorm not including the basements.

When an inmate is paroled they either are driven to Effingham to take the train to Chicago. Or taken to the Bus in Vandalia, to be taken to St. Louis where they make the connection to their destination to other areas.  If an inmate has money on the books they will pay for the ticket. If they dint then the state pays for it. Oh, and they will get a whole $10 as gate money, if they have no money on the books.

I hope this info helps out...

I have filed a Civil Rights Complaint in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, complaining of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations, in addition to the medical treatment, and overcrowding conditions. I'm in the process of amending the complaint now. The Judge has ordered the case filed. Summons' to be served soon.
If anyone is interested the case number is 11-168-JPG.

[Tonysgirl]

This is absolute bullshit! My fiancée was sent there may 6th and he absolutely hates it there... The visits are just about the only thing good about Vandalia from what Tony says... I mean how can they classify Vandalia as a minimum prison when they treat it like a medium to medium max prison... and about the population... How does it say that they can house 1700 people on the IDOC page when a few months ago it said it could only house 900 people... there is something fishy there... I hate this shit my man isnt a bad guy and he didnt break no major laws all he did was drive a car while his licence was revoked big woop

[TimeStandsStill]

If you look at the Quarterly Report (the link is on the IDOC site) it will show that the lower figure is the Design Capacity and the larger figure is the Operational Capacity.  There are a lot of statistics in that report if that kind of stuff is interesting to you.  It is to me.  It's an eye-opener really.

I did just notice that in comparing the October 2010 with the January 2011 report they did increase the Operational Capacity for some of the facilities. Unless they are building additions, I don't see how those numbers are flexible. I guess anywhere they can find to squeeze another body in somewhere.....  :-(

[scotts baby 08]

Dreamweaver...I'm soo sorry that you had to go thru crap like that..Glad you are back home.

IDOC is utterly ridiculous anymore..i have honestly talk to so many people on IPT and off IPT who have loved ones currently in IDOC and some have been released previously..and the ones are inside, are going thru more hell then what they ever went thru when they were out and having problems..and the ones who are out actually swear they are not ever returning to "hell" (as they called it)..

Good luck to you and again, glad you are back home..

love and hugs

[jna]

commissary is every two weeks still.

[Forevermah]

Just remember this topic is for INFORMATION on Vandalia, if you want to talk about things, please take it to another board!

[DreamWeaver]

Hello All,
I think I can explain the increase in the operational capacity from Oct 2010 - Jan 2011, This seems to be the time period that Pat Quinn suspended the MGT Good Time. IDOC is not giving it yet, (as of when I left on March 23rd) so this means that all prisoners will be serving the 6 months they should have been given.

It is my understanding that there are still several hundred inmates at the Cook County Jail still waiting to go to IDOC to start their sentence. Yes the time counts against the sentence, but they are much more limited in their movement, and privileges. They are so overcrowded that they are using some gym areas for housing inmates, and have set up cots in them.

Furthermore, The Joliet Receiving Center (NRC) for IDOC is as well overcrowded, they have been placing the inmates on cots in some of the sections that were designated for other purposes. Also, NRC has refused to accept inmates from Cook County, and have sent several busses back to the county.

Something has to be done about the overcrowding conditions, perhaps our legislators can come up with other sentencing programs, such as community service as an alternate to prison for non violent offenders, or the such.  All I know is that it is a law that IDOC must accept and house sentenced prisoners. Perhaps the Sheriff's of the counties should get together and file a legal action against IDOC, to force them to accept the sentenced inmates.. Which in turn would force IDOC to make some changes about Good Time, and their release protocols. Yes, I do understand some people belong in prison, but not the non violent offenders, such as driving on a suspended/revoked license. Which was my crime, I dont think I should have been sent away for 10 months for that.   Vandalia IS HELL, I wont be going back......

[jna]

dream weaver, thank you for your info on vandalia, I'm glad you won't be going back!

[Tonysgirl]

hey all... Im goin to visit the Vandalia work camp on sunday and I was wanting to know if the visiting hours are the same or not and if the vending machine cards can be used at the work camp as well

[buddygirl23]

I am so confused will somebody please, please, help me? What are the rules about mail and phone calls someone I care about dearly is in there and I haven't herd from him in months and im going crazy please I know no nothing?