Jeffreys leaving IDOC
Tuesday, Mar 7, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Governor Pritzker today announced that Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down from his position, effective April 1, 2023. Jeffreys has led the Illinois correctional system since June of 2019, overseeing 29,000 individuals in 27 facilities across the state and supervising nearly 13,000 employees. IDOC Chief of Staff Latoya J. Hughes will serve as Acting Director in the interim.
“I’m grateful to Director Jeffreys for his years of service, ensuring the dignity and safety of the incarcerated people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “His work in reforming and redesigning services has given individuals in custody opportunities for advancement and improvement while also ensuring the highest level of security and care for the IDOC staff as they carry out their critical responsibilities.”
“Leading the Illinois Department of Corrections and our dedicated employees since 2019, through unprecedented departmental and societal challenges and tremendous successes, including re-introducing the accreditation process of our institutions through the American Correctional Association, has been a distinct honor,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “Throughout my tenure, the Department and employees at all levels embraced reform as an opportunity and worked tirelessly to positively change the lives of those incarcerated while maintaining the safety and security of our facilities. It has been a privilege to collaborate with legislators, agencies, community partners, and advocacy groups, who all have the shared goal of the well-being of the Department, employees, and individuals in custody. I am grateful to Governor Pritzker for giving me this opportunity to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections.”
During his time at IDOC, Jeffreys led the development of the first ever Office of Reentry, dedicated to providing resources to help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society. This includes engaging 98% of individuals with Medicaid enrollment assistance and piloting a state ID card program for those leaving incarceration. He also oversaw a comprehensive redesign of vocational and educational services to include training for living-wage level jobs post-release. Jeffreys also aided in re-accrediting Illinois institutions through the American Correctional Association and led the Department through COVID-19, an unprecedented safety challenge for both staff and individuals in incarceration.
Prior to serving at IDOC, Jeffreys spent 24 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, including as Chief of Staff and Regional Director. He has consulted and trained for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Crime and Justice Institute, and the Moss Group, where he provided recommendations and specialized training for improving services via data-driven decision making. Jeffreys holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in correctional administration from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
…Adding… AFSCME Council 31…
Numerous problems in the state Department of Corrections need urgent attention. We hope the next director will work cooperatively with our union to hire adequate staff, reduce overtime, expand rehabilitative programming, and improve workplace safety for the department’s 10,000 dedicated employees
…Adding… Sen. Plummer…
State Senator Jason Plummer (Edwardsville) released the following statement regarding the announcement that Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down:
“This is an opportunity for the Pritzker administration to start fresh and chart a new course for our corrections system where transparency and accountability are priorities. The hard-working corrections officers and prison staffs deserve an administration that treats them with respect. The people of Illinois need an IDOC that focuses on public safety and the rehabilitation of offenders, instead of catering to the whims of out-of-touch special interest groups.
“I encourage the governor to take this opportunity to nominate a director who will operate with integrity and transparency for the people of Illinois, the employees of IDOC, and the members of the Illinois General Assembly. It’s time we prioritize public safety and work for our communities, not activists and special interests.”
…Adding… I asked Sen. Plummer which special interests he was referring to…
Anyone that has spent significant time with rank-and-file IDOC personnel, as I have, know that the demands and wishes of activists within the Governor’s office, and activists close to the Governor’s office, have been prioritized over the types of common-sense solutions that would better protect and serve IDOC personnel and the inmates in the facilities, as well as keep all Illinois communities safer. I think the fact the director is leaving is a real shame because I had high hopes for him. It became apparent to many people that his ability to reform the department was very much constricted by those above him.
So, again, this is an opportunity for the Pritzker administration to plot a new course where they work with subject-matter experts and their own staff on the ground instead of only listening to their own internal activists and the special interests who live in ivory towers.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 3:39 pm:
Here’s your hat what’s your hurry:
Regards,
AFSCME
- cermak_rd - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 3:48 pm:
How much of the hiring staff problem is due to the fact that the prisons tend to be flung into smaller population areas? I also would like more rehabilitative programs, as long as that just doesn’t mean only compliance but also helps the prisoner prepare for life as a free person following release.
- State worker - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 3:49 pm:
That’s a serious loss for Illinois. IDOC has a long record of hiding problems and sweeping them under the rug. A lot of ongoing issues were solved or addressed for the first time because of Director Jeffreys. It’s rare to have someone who is proactive, evidence-based, and focused on the mission of meaningful Reentry and true community safety. Good luck to Illinois finding someone like Director Jeffreys.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 3:50 pm:
===and improve workplace safety===
Narrator: the vaccine for Covid-19 was not their priority.
- I Love Decatur - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 4:46 pm:
He was the Director through some of the toughest times. Perhaps he would have seen greater success if he would have spent more time running the Agency then networking for the next job.
- Southern Dude - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 5:27 pm:
=== How much of the hiring staff problem is due to the fact that the prisons tend to be flung into smaller population areas? ===
I don’t think that is the issue at all. Tier II is the biggest issue in regards to vacancies in DOC. There were long waiting lists for these jobs in rural areas before Tier II.
=== Good luck to Illinois finding someone like Director Jeffreys.===
Director Jeffreys is that you?
- charles in charge - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 8:15 pm:
== A lot of ongoing issues were solved or addressed for the first time because of Director Jeffreys.==
Please enlighten us about what issues at IDOC were “solved.”
- State worker - Tuesday, Mar 7, 23 @ 9:43 pm:
==Please enlighten us about what issues at IDOC were “solved.”==
For decades, people leaving prison were just dumped on a Greyhound bus with no way to get a birth certificate, state ID, anything. Without that, no one could get a job, sign up for Medicaid, get their medicines, get a lease.
People with nothing had to run around and try to get official papers from thin air. This went on for decades. This was short-termer and long-termers who did not even know how to use a cell phone.
Now, they are leaving with IDs and Medicaid enrollment. Not to mention there is an Office of Reentry, and a Life Skills Center dedicated to reentry.
Reentry means success. It means you actually care about what happens to people when they leave IDOC. That should be our shared goal.