SOUTHWESTERN Correctional Center

[Dazzler]

Post information here please


Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center  
Shannis Stock, Warden  

Facility Data
Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center
 Opened: August 1995
 *Operational Capacity: 708
 Minimum Security Adult Male
 *Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center Population: 609
 *Southwestern Illinois Work Camp Population: 91
 *Total Current Population: 700
 Average Age: 25
 FY2010 Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $41,520.00

*As of 11/30/2011. Reflects bed space capacity analysis as outlined in the January 1, 2012 Quarterly Report to the Legislature.
 Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center is the parent institution for Southwestern Illinois Work Camp

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.
 
9:00 a.m. to 6:00p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and official State holidays only.
 No visits will be processed after 5:00 p.m.

Facility Address

Business Mail:
 950 Kingshighway Street
 East St. Louis, IL 62203

Inmate Mail:
 Inmate Name & IDOC#
 P.O. Box 129
 East St. Louis, IL 62203  

Phone: (618) 394-2200
 Fax: (618) 394-2228

Facility Information

The Mission of Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC) is to protect the public from criminal offenders through a system of incarceration, while providing a safe and secure environment for offenders, as well as programs and services which are designed to assist them in successful re-entry into the free community. SWICC is a totally dedicated substance abuse treatment community. Each department participates in the offender recovery process by evaluating and assessing the performance of the offenders under its direction. All offenders housed at SWICC attend substance abuse treatment groups five days per week for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

SWICC has a 91-bed Work Camp on-site, which provides community service to government and non-profit groups within a 45-mile radius of the institution. The Work Camp offenders also actively participate in substance abuse treatment groups.  

SWICC consists of a total of 19 buildings, which comprise more than 195,214 square feet. The living units consist of four dorm-style housing units, the Work Camp, one 8-bed segregation unit and a 6-bed health care unit. The facility sits on a 24-acre site, with 22 acres being enclosed by fencing.

Inmate Programs

Academic:
 •ABE (Adult Basic Education)
•Pre-GED (Pre-General Education Development)
•GED (General Education Development)

Vocational:
 •Commercial Custodial
•Horticulture
•Vocational Business
•Construction
•Warehousing
•Remedial Skills
•Career Technology  

 Volunteer Services:
•Alcoholics Anonymous
•Narcotics Anonymous
•Storybook Project
•Pell Grant Seminars
•Vocational Seminars
•Salvation Army  

Other:
 •Life Skills
•Substance Abuse
•Family Reunification Program
•Inside Out Dad
•Fatherhood Initiative
•Anger Management/Domestic Violence
•Parenting
•Interpersonal Relationships
•12-Step Group
•Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program
•Leisure Time Activity
•Chaplaincy
•Library
•Community Work Crews

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

[Peanuts]

Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center
Opened: August 1995
Capacity: 600
Level 6: Minimum-Security Adult Male
Average Daily Population: 661
 

Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center is the parent institution for the following location(s):

Southwestern Work Camp
Level 7: Low Minimum-Security Adult Male
Average Daily Population: 0

Total Average Daily Population: 661
Average Age: 25
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $28,315.00

 
 
 
 
  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 date of birth.

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

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
No visitors allowed after 5:00 p.m.
Visits Saturday and Sundays Only and official State holidays..

Effective July 1, 2006:
Visiting Room hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays/Sundays and official State holidays only.
No visits will be processed after 5:00 p.m. 
 
 
  Facility Address    
 
 
Business Mail:
950 Kingshighway Street
Caller Serv. 50
East St. Louis, Il 62203

Phone: (618) 394-2200
 Inmate Mail:
950 Kingshighway Street
P.O. Box 129
East St. Louis, Il 62203

 
 

[HisOnlyPookie]

Hi,

I just have a few questions about Southwestern. My boyfriend was told by other inmates that if he gets transferred to Southwestern (he is trying to because it is closer) that after you are paroled from there, that there is a 90 day outpatient program or something like that and you still have to stay there. Does anyone know if that is true or not? He asked his counselor but he didn't know. I think, no I guess I should say I know that other inmates lie to each other often to keep them down.

[babygurl23]

my boyfriend is thinking about trying to get sent to a new prison and one they kind of mentioned was Southwestern so I was wondering if anyone can give me any information on how things are there..
thanks for any information..


Brandy

[scudder5]

Not sure if anyone can still answer questions on here, I looked at the individual prison profiles page which actually helped, but had some more questions, my husband is at Southwestern now, does anyone have any idea how long until I get a phone call he was in receiving for forty seven days, and I am dying to hear from him it has been two months of nothing but a post card and it is really driving me nuts, just want a general time frame of how long after they get transferred for Southwestern for a phonecall, also any info on Southwestern as far as prisoners how they like it, what happens would be nice too, I know they have to go to classes mon thru fri, but don't understand if they still get the extra time off for it or not, yes my husband is eligible for good time, ( non-violent )okay I think I asked enough questions LOL

[scudder5]

Just to let you all know this post is pretty outdated, My husband is at Southwestern now and the visiting hours are only nine am to six pm and they are only on SAT/SUN or holidays.no visits mon thru fri because all of the prisoners are in classes during these times, i didn't read all of it, but i saw the old visiting hours on there
--Here is updated info from idoc site

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 date of birth.

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

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
No visitors allowed after 5:00 p.m.

Effective July 1, 2006:
Visiting Room hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays/Sundays and official State holidays only.
No visits will be processed after 5:00 p.m. 

[Forevermah]

Thanks scudder for the update. If  you have any other information that you would like to post about visiting there, please do. As you can see we don't have many loved ones that have posted about visiting SW.   I've replaced the information above with your new information.

Thanks again,
Mah

[RT]

He will get good time for being there. It could take a few weeks to get a phone list apporved but it very well could be sooner. I hear that guys like it at SCC and that is why they opt to stay in the program.


RT

[mz.thickie32]

my husband is at southwestern and u should have recieved a phone call by now after 2 months, yes they attend alot of classes well I know mines does, and If I'm not mistaking every 90days they do good or tend the classes they get 45days tooken off, but the facility is real nice far as visit the co's r nice, they get move around with u far as getting food, take pics, hug, kisses,hold hands, and they get hold their kids if they have any but they cannot get a visit for the first 30 days, and then they earn extra days for visits after the phases they complete and visit is only on weekends and holidays. Anything else u want to know u can ask! And 

[scudder5]

Thank you so much, I just got a letter and he said his pin for his phone is messed up so he hasn't been able to call out yet.  He said it is almost like going off to college, he is in a room with 22 other guys and he goes to the gym 3x a day and he is going to be going to classes for driving a forklift , but he sounded ok, I was so happy to get that letter!!!

[mz.thickie32]

  I'm happy for u! hopefully he gets to call soon. like I said it's real nice at southwest!

[Still love my son]

 

Great you got the letter, sounds like he is settling in well, and he is at a place where the time will go by fast, since he is going to be so busy.
You will get a visit before you know it, AND a phone call SOON!!!!!
Hang in there!!!!

 

[feuxdejoie]

I just got word today that my husband was transferred to Southwestern.  I wanted to thank everyone who has posted on this site, it has been a huge help to me in understanding what to expect.  I am wondering if there is any new information about the facility that anyone could share.  Thank you.  BTW our 23 year wedding anniversary is February 28th.

[scudder5]

My husband has been at SouthWestern for a year let me know if u have any questions I will try to help

[feuxdejoie]

Thank you for posting.  It is really  hard to find anything about Southwestern.  If you could share your experiences with visits, programs they offer and anything else that you can think of I would really appreciate it.

[scudder5]

Some basic info on southwestern, visits are only on Sat and Sun from nine until six, and holidays. They search your vehicle when you get there, and do a quick check/pat down before they let you go back. Make sure to leave meds and cellphones and purses in your car they do not allow you to leave these items in your locker. the visiting room is set up like a small gradeschool cafeteria with four seats to a table. You have to sit across from your inmate if you are a female and not his mom.  They have two restrooms for visitors and one for inmates.  The visiting room holds about eighty people at a time on a busy day, so the restrooms are pretty busy.  They have vending machines that have soda/water/and some juice.  Also have a coffee machine and some food and snacks. You are allowed to bring in thirty dollars in cash, this facility no longer uses the debit card system.\Do not wear anything you are unsure of to visits, I had a hole in my pocket that you couldn't even see through and they wouldn't let me in one day.  Basically set up on this facility is like a huge dorm, with all the guys sleeping on diffeent  units but not in seperate cells, my husband has about forty other guys on his unit.  They offer classes here from Lakeland community college, from forklift to construction to horticulture, the guys in horticulture get extra outside time if your LO likes that he mite wanna sign up, they also have a workcamp as well-not sure on the info with that, They do drug treatment here, and they have to go to group for this twice a day, This facility was actually an old school house and it is shaped kinda like a horseshoe.  UMMM.....nnot sure what else you would want to know, let me know if any other questions

[jenplus2]

I have a question regarding Southwestern... I just received a letter from D. In it he says, "good news, I'm going to Southwestern IL DOC in about 4 weeks from today (7/8/2010). It will damn near cut my remaining time in half. I will attend school while I am there." It goes on to say more, but my question is... does he know what he's talking about? I haven't looked into Southwestern before so I don't know exactly what to expect??? I do know that it's 10 minutes away from me versus Vienna which is close to 3 hours from me. I am reading over the posts on Southwestern now, but any new information would be great and anything pertaining to what he said (about the time, etc.) would be nice. Thank you in advance.

[jenplus2]

Is there anyone that knows anything about Southwestern, as far as the questions I asked above?

[Forevermah]

I really have no clue what he means about his time, as I have never heard of anyone, just going to one of these prisons where they offer these special substance abuse programs, getting anymore time off!  You are going to have to ask him in a letter, what he is talking about!  With the MGT up in the air now, he would not even get that at this time!

I do know these programs have some very special rulings for them and their loved ones, when it comes to visiting, etc.

[jenplus2]

Thank you Mah, I still have NO idea what he was referring too. A friend of the family said something along the lines of "they lessen their time with these drug programs and schooling" but I again, really don't know what they could be talking about. I have searched everywhere for information and can't find anything. I think they are just having some "wishful thinking" going on. If I find out anymore, I will be sure to post and let everyone know. Do you know if anyone on IPT still has a LO there that I may be able to talk to? Again, thank you for replying.

[Forevermah]

He probably will get credit for classes/programs that he is going to have to take, maybe this is what he is talking about.  This is the only way he could earn extra time off.

 I believe Scudder5's husband just got out of Southwestern, you might want to PM her and see what she can tell you.  Good Luck to him and you.

[jenplus2]

Thank you again, MAH, I really appreciate you getting back to me.

[scudder5]

Just wanted to post this in case any one needs the info in the future about good time at SWICC, the guys at swicc all attend drug treatment, it is mandatory, if you don't go you get "shipped", you get 45 days of credit for every 90 days of treatment you complete, you can take college courses as well, but you can only earn good time for one program at a time so you only get the good time for the drug treatment.  anyway you can potentially earn up to six months for every year you are there.  It takes them alittle  while to credit the good time after you complete the ninety days though.  One time it took them three weeks to do it for my husband, he will know when he gets it because they will bring him a  paper to sign.  Any questions feel free to message me, I don't have a lot of time to get on here any more but I really enjoy being able to answer your questions.

[jenplus2]

Now it makes since why D was saying it will almost cut his time in half... thank you so much for the post Scudder, it's great news to hear. I'm getting excited now... "Bring on Southwestern!"

[jenplus2]

D recently sent me the pamphlet that Southwestern hands out to the inmates interested in transferring to their facility. It explains exactly what Southwestern is all about. This pamphlet is geared toward the inmate and not the general public, so you can understand what your L/O will be, or is going through. I wanted to share this since there isn't a whole lot of information out there about Southwestern, it's almost like a "secret society", . I hope this helps anyone looking for information.

Southwestern Correctional Center Pamphlet/Information

[Marks_guy]

Thanks for sharing Jen. After reading that, it almost sounds like a specialized camp instead of a prison.

[jenplus2]

You're welcome and that's exactly what I thought when I read it... it doesn't sound AT ALL like a prison. Maybe they are a little more secretive, because so many would want in there? On top of that, the inmates earn 45 days for every 90 they spend there, in the drug program. I wish IDOC would implement more camps geared toward recovery or anything geared toward recovery would be a step in the right direction. It must be a pretty popular camp, because D has been waiting to be transferred since the end of July. His counselor recently told him that if he didn't hear something by 11/11/2010, then he could apply for another transfer to a different camp. I'm not sure WHY that would be or what exactly that means?? I don't know if that's some kind of deadline or cut off date?? Just confused me, but IDOC is great at that. I just hope he gets the transfer before then and we can move forward.

[Ericka]

feuxdejoie,

Can you tell me how long it took your husband to transfer from his parent prison to Southwestern?  My LO is waiting to get transferred and it is taking a long time.

[lukn4famly]

     Thank you all for sharing.  I made my first visit there this past weekend.  I have a son there.  It has been really hard, but it helps knowing that I am not alone.  Bless each and everyone of you...

[pac5401]

My son has applied for a transfer to Southwestern too. He is currently in Vienna and just wants to be closer for visits.  But if he could finish school at Southwestern, that would be great.

[shaela]

My l/o is getting transfered to southwestern this week , can anyone tell me about the program and how it works.

[blah2u]

Shaela - My husband has been there almost a week.  Your l/o will need to sign a contract that is valid for 90 days and if they successfully complete the contract they will receive a 45 day reduction in their sentence.  Your l/o will be required to attend group therapy for a total of 15 hrs a week.  From what my husband has told me the facility is clean and pretty low key.  I am learning about this facility and its program and will be willing to share whatever I can. 

[sbiggs65]

Hi! My son is at SWICC.  He has been there more than a year now.  They allow contact visits and there are vending machines available.  You are only able to take your picture ID and up to $30 cash per person in with you.  They have just recently went to an ATM-type card.  You put your card in a machine and then put your money in and it credits your card.  It costs and initial $5 to purchase the card.  Make sure it is a five dollar bill.  He signs a new "contract" every 90 days and receives an additional 45 days off his release date.  In the year he has been there, he has earned 28 college credits.  He gets 1 visit after the first 30 or 60 days (phase 1).  When he got to Phase 2, he got 2 visits per month.  He is now at Phase 3 and is allowed 4 visits per month.  They only do visits on the weekends and holidays.  My son calls me all the time but we had to set up a prepaid phone account through Consolidated Communications.  After your LO makes his first call to you through this service, you will be allowed to call them and set up your account.  I have never seen a commissary list but I guess the guys get one to fill out every week.  I have sent as much as $200 through J-Pay for his commissary privileges.  He purchases food, personal hygiene items, walkman, TV, fan, socks, t-shirts, etc. 

I have never had a problem getting in to visit.  Visiting hours are on weekends and holidays (call on holidays to verify) from 9 to 5 but they won't take anyone after 4.  They usually allow 4 hour visits.  If they start getting crowded, the COs go around to the ones that have been visiting the longest and tell them to wrap it up.  I've only seen them do it a couple of times though.  Since you are so far away, try to plan your arrival before 11:30 a.m. or after 12:30 p.m.  That's when they do afternoon count and there is no movement of inmates during that time.  The first time I went to see my son, it was an hour and a half wait for me because I arrived just prior to the beginning of count.  It was painful for me to sit and wait for that long.

The SWICC facility is neat, clean, and everyone is friendly.  I have never had an unpleasant visit except for that very first one.  The counsellors teach the inmates to respect everyone and call them by Mr. (last name).  I think that's a good thing.

Keep watching the IDOC website for your husband's release date to change shortly after he signs the contracts.  He will sign every 3 months and it will shorten his time by 3 months and 45 days every time he
signs. 

[shaela]

Thanks for your help.

[Tonysgirl]

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to try and get my fiancée sent to this prison among other prisons that are like this one... He has (2 cases) of driving while licence revoked felonies and received a 2 year sentence which he will have to do a year of it. Just wanting to know. Thanks

[Forevermah]

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to try and get my fiancée sent to this prison among other prisons that are like this one... He has (2 cases) of driving while licence revoked felonies and received a 2 year sentence which he will have to do a year of it. Just wanting to know. Thanks

There is nothing you can do, it's all up to the IDOC as to where they send him after he is questioned in R&C.   

[lovinhim11]

So ypu arre saying when my husband gets there he will go through the program and get 3 months off of every contract he follows through with. his projected parole date is aug 26 2013. so he will get time of that to where he will be home sooner. i thought they did away with all the good time?

[bmonska]

He can't get three months off for every contract he completes. He can get UP TO 90 days of school credit/drug program credit etc. off his sentence upon successful completion. The good time that was cancelled is MGT (Meritorious Good Time) that involved the IDOC giving inmates an extra 6 months off their sentences almost automatically though it was never a right, always a privilege. His counselor can explain the program credit info with him directly if he has questions about how that works. It's a process of filling out the paperwork/signing up/qualifying for the program to begin with then waiting until a spot in that particular program opens up. 

[lovinhim11]

In the post below it says different than what you had said. so now im really confused  hearing to different things. i guess once my husband gets there or when i get to talk to him i will find out for sure.

[bmonska]

In the post below it says different than what you had said. so now im really confused  hearing to different things. i guess once my husband gets there or when i get to talk to him i will find out for sure.

He can sign a new contract every 90 days but he doesn't get 90 days off his sentence for every contract he signs, if that make sense. For example, if he is in long enough to sign 3 contracts (one every 90 days) it doesn't mean he will get 180 days off his sentence. It means that he can get up to 90 days total off his sentence from the days accumulated through signing the contracts. Just for example again, if he got into a drug program and successfully completes it, he may get X numbers of days awarded to him cut off his sentence. Then he signs a second contract, 90 or more days from the first contract he signed depending on how long the first program took to complete, say for school. Once he successfully completes that second contract, IDOC may decide to give him Y number of days off his sentence. The X and Y days won't total more than 90 all together.

I hope that makes sense. If I'm wrong, someone else will correct me. 

[Forevermah]

In the post below it says different than what you had said. so now im really confused  hearing to different things. i guess once my husband gets there or when i get to talk to him i will find out for sure.

The MAXIMUM time any inmate can get off for programs/classes is 90 days.  It doesn't matter how many classes/programs he takes, he can ONLY get an extra 90 days (3 months) credit off his sentence and those have to be earned.

IF he got any credit on another visit to IDOC, he is not eligible to earn credit time again, he can still take classes/programs, but he won't earn any extra time (credit) off  his sentence.

[NeddieB]

Went for my first visit at Southwestern this weekend.  I know there are not many posts about SWICC so I thought I would share my experience.  When we pulled in we had to stop and give them our ID's and the CO's then searched the vehicle.  The CO's were extremely nice and actually asked how our trip was getting there.  They saw we came from a distance.  They knew it was our first time visiting and explained exactly what we needed to do.  When we went into the building you have paperwork that must be filled out.  They do an inventory of your jewelry, hair clips, belt and shoes.  The vending machine card costs $5.00.  The lockers are free.  After we were searched we were lead into the visiting area.  It is very similar to a school cafeteria.  There are several tables and five vending machines.  You have to check in with the CO in the visiting area and show them your ID.  They then assign you to a table.  When my son came in we were able to hug and kiss him.  The entire visit he was able to hold his fiance's hand.  The inmates are allowed to go up to the vending machines with you, however cannot handle the vending machine card.  The CO's announced this is like handling cash and that is not allowed.  We were allowed to visit for four hours.  We stayed overnight at a hotel and came back the next day for another visit.  He is now allowed to have 2 four hour visits per month.  When he gets to his next level he will be allowed more visits per month.  Since Saturday was April 30th that counted as a visit in April and Sunday was counted for his first visit in May, so we get another visit in May.  The CO's were extremely nice and very helpful.  When we came back on Sunday it was the same CO's from the day before and they asked where we had stayed.  They gave us directions to a better place and it was much closer.

I am so relieved now that I have actually been there to visit.  I hope this helps anyone who may have a loved one there or a loved one that has applied for a transfer.  I know I had a lot of questions and thankfully there were some wonderful posts on here that helped me a lot. 

[Marks_guy]

Thanks for posting your visiting experience. Some time in the future, I'm positive it will help someone else know what to expect!

[mary77]

Is it hard to try to get into Southwestern? I know some places are like East Moline but I'm hoping this one is different?