Adding oversight to the state’s inmate classification system, and forestalling the early release of prisoners who should spend more time behind bars, is the intent of legislation introduced January 14 by Senator Bill Brady.

Senate Bill 2588 requires that the initial inmate classification and placement system within the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) be reviewed and approved by the state’s Prisoner Review Board.

“Inmate classification is a key component of the correctional system, in which offenders are assessed and grouped together with other like inmates for purposes of security and custody. Classification can be used for decisions on inmate housing, access to programs, placement location, level of privileges and amount of liberty within prison,” Senator Brady said. “It also can also be used as a resource management tool to move inmates through various levels to address institutional population pressures. Many have expressed concerns that Corrections is resorting to a more arbitrary approach to address fiscal constraints.”

The 44th District Senator said if used solely for resource management, the current system could result in classifications being arbitrarily assigned to fit placement, rather than objectively used to foster good behavior, punish bad behavior, address inmate needs and advance inmate rehabilitation.

Senator Brady says the DOC’s current inmate classification process appears to rely heavily on the minimum-security classification. He noted that potentially medium-security prisoners were being classified as minimum-security inmates, and prisoners who should be housed in maximum-security facilities were being put into medium-security facilities.

“In light of the current Administration’s early-release scandal, we think it is important to put a second set of eyes on this process,” Senator Brady said. “My legislation gives the Prisoner Review Board oversight authority over the DOC’s inmate classification process.”

The Prisoner Review Board is a 15-member board appointed by the Governor that currently reviews and decides DOC disciplinary citations against inmates and sets conditions on inmates upon their release. Senate Bill 2588 allows the Prisoner Review Board to carry out their review and approval of the inmate’s initial classification and placement through a three-member panel, which is the same standard for other Prisoner Review Board decision-making (with the exception of parole decisions).

Senate Bill 2588 also requires that any inmate transfer to a different institution or facility, after the initial placement, must be reviewed and approved by the a three-member Prisoner Review Board panel, and a DOC person designated by the DOC Director. Under current law, the review and approval of an inmate transfer is reviewed and approved by a “person or persons” designated by the DOC Director.

If passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, Senator Brady’s legislation has an immediate effective date.