ILLINOIS RIVER Correctional Center

[becca]

Have you heard from your bf??   My son had already established his phone list at Statesville so the day after he got to IR he called me.   But it took a month before I could go see him.   They are very nice there for the most part.  Some of them even joke with you.
I have a question for anyone.    Do Pastors have to take a visit day??  I thought if they called a couple days in advance they could go anytime.  I feel sorry for ours.  He went there without calling me--1 hour away--go there and no weekend visits were available.    I may have to ask at the front desk Thursday when I get there.

[ange0922]

Hi! My boyfriend is currently at Illinois River and I thought I would post some recent information on here for those who are new. I know that I really wanted some info when he was first transferred. I live in Chicago's northwest suburbs so the drive for me is about 3.5 hours. The first trip down was horrible because I was so anxious to see him that it felt like it took FOREVER! Now, however, the ride is actually pretty nice. There are gorgeous purple flowers that line I-55 and it's nice to see the countryside.

The guards are pretty strict there. It's a small town where the only options for a career are to work the family farm or the local state prison. All of them talk about how many years or months they have until retirement. It's kind of sad, actually. But they take their jobs seriously so don't think they'll put up with any nonsense. They are serious about the dress code..no sleeveless shirts, must wear undergarments, no see-through clothing, and nothing too tight. You are only allowed to bring the debit card in with you to the actual visit. They have a locker for you to put your ID and car keys in but there's no point in bringing anything else.

You can bring up to five reading materials with you. You sign them in at the front desk and it takes about 2-3 days for the LO to receive them. It saves you money on shipping!

I always visit during the week because it's not crowded or loud and there's no wait to get in. The visits have consistently been a full four hours long. Behave while you're in the visit or they revoke your privileges and place your loved one in segregation for 6 months. You are allowed to briefly hug and kiss at the beginning and end of each visit and are allowed to hold hands during the visit. You can place money on the debit card (which costs $5 to buy) and you can buy him food. They have the typical vending machine fare as well as some hot wings, cheeseburgers and nachos. There is a microwave to heat things up.

There is NOTHING in Canton, IL. The nicest building there is a Subway. It's nice to buy gas for $.35 cheaper than in Cook County, though. All in all, it's not a bad place. My boyfriend says that the guards are mostly respectable.

If anyone needs help carpooling out there, I visit every Thursday. I typically leave around 6am to make it there by 9:30am, on the road by 2:30 pm and back home by 6pm. It's a full days worth of travel but it's worth it and the drive back always flies by. Message me if you'd like to carpool!

[becca]

Now your view on the guards are different than mine. to me  they have been very nice each time.  There are a couple with a chip on their shoulders but basically they are good guards.
There are lots of places to eat and go to in Canton.  There is McDonalds, taco bell, steak places. The square has a great family type restaurant.  I use to eat there whenever I made a delivery there for a place I worked for.   You are just on the out skirts of Canton.  If you take a drive around Canton  it is pretty decent size town. they have JC Penney and Dollar Tree, Kmart.  lots of stores.    So there are lots of job options in Canton.   maybe you can get online and type in Canton Illinois and see more stuff.  It is not a small farm town.  Maybe compared to Chicago it is   haha.

I. also, to on Thursday but in the afternoon. I hate that most of the "food" vending machines are almost empty by then.  My son said they fill them up on Friday but Friday is not an option for me to go visit.    He likes the pizza (personal) the best.   
My son is in culinary school--but the teacher is quitting in a week.  he is all upset about it because he finally had something to do. 
he wants to be transferred to Logan or Taylorville.  I hope it is Logan.  I have family in Lincoln so he will have more visitors. 

[TrishH]

Does anyone have any current or updated information about IRCC? 

My lo was transferred from Stateville NRC to IRCC today.  So upsetting..............he is just waiting to see the PRB!  I spoke with a woman (who was actually pleasant) at vine who said he will be on the Oct. docket at IRCC.  So disappointing because she also happened to mention that PRB is going to be at IRCC tomorrow!

Are there circumstances or ways for him to see the PRB sooner?  How long will he have to wait at IRCC to have make calls, have visits?  Also, does anyone have a vibe on how long it is taking for them to receive mail at IRCC?  I know at NRC it is horribly backed up. 

[leighanns520]

Does anyone have any current or updated information about IRCC? 

My lo was transferred from Stateville NRC to IRCC today.  So upsetting..............he is just waiting to see the PRB!  I spoke with a woman (who was actually pleasant) at vine who said he will be on the Oct. docket at IRCC.  So disappointing because she also happened to mention that PRB is going to be at IRCC tomorrow!

Are there circumstances or ways for him to see the PRB sooner?  How long will he have to wait at IRCC to have make calls, have visits?  Also, does anyone have a vibe on how long it is taking for them to receive mail at IRCC?  I know at NRC it is horribly backed up. 

Hi Trish
If the parole board is meeting tomorrow, it is likely that they will be there again in 4 weeks. That would be 9-22.  It is also possible he could see the board then.  When I called Sprigfield prisoner review board, I spoke with Debbie.  She said that they normally return to a prison every 4 weeks for hearings.  I was afraid my husband wouldn't be on the list for September at Pontiac as he did not get there until the 19th of August.  But he is on the docket for 9-13 when they return there for hearings.  Please call the Prisoner Review Board and see what you can find out.  It may not be too late for the new docket for September. Good Luck!!!!!

[Crowe29]

Now your view on the guards are different than mine. to me  they have been very nice each time.  There are a couple with a chip on their shoulders but basically they are good guards.
There are lots of places to eat and go to in Canton.  There is McDonalds, taco bell, steak places. The square has a great family type restaurant.  I use to eat there whenever I made a delivery there for a place I worked for.   You are just on the out skirts of Canton.  If you take a drive around Canton  it is pretty decent size town. they have JC Penney and Dollar Tree, Kmart.  lots of stores.    So there are lots of job options in Canton.   maybe you can get online and type in Canton Illinois and see more stuff.  It is not a small farm town.  Maybe compared to Chicago it is   haha.

I. also, to on Thursday but in the afternoon. I hate that most of the "food" vending machines are almost empty by then.  My son said they fill them up on Friday but Friday is not an option for me to go visit.    He likes the pizza (personal) the best.   
My son is in culinary school--but the teacher is quitting in a week.  he is all upset about it because he finally had something to do. 
he wants to be transferred to Logan or Taylorville.  I hope it is Logan.  I have family in Lincoln so he will have more visitors. 

My B has been at IRCC since April and both of don't really have anything negative to say about it.  He doesn't complain, no one has ever been rude or abusive towards him...he has everything he needs and is just doing his best to make it through till his parole next year.  I have found all of the guards to be very pleasant...a few even with a sense of humor.  I visit once/month on a weekend and have gotten very familiar with Canton.  I'd love to move there as I like small towns (though I'm pretty sure my B will wanna be as far away as possible, lol!). I highly recommend the Herbst Landing restaurant on Main St. We stay at the Super 8 down Main St. past Wal-Mart. As to the vending machinces, never really had a problem on a Saturday afternoon...and I also visit on Sunday mornings so everything is fresh and restocked...actually saw the vending guy in there this past Sunday when I went.  I guess the only downside is that it's far away (3.5 hr drive) from Chicago so I can't afford to see him more than once/month.

[WashburnsBabiGurl]

Hey what are the new visiting hours at IRCC?   I know it changed beginning of April.

[Crowe29]

They were supposed to change but didn't. Visiting's still from 8:30-8pm daily for general population.