Illinois Department of Corrections’ (IDOC) Facilities Mapping Project
To improve access to college education opportunities in prison, the Crime Lab partnered with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to produce interactive statewide maps to connect facilities with nearby postsecondary education providers.
Challenge
IDOC recently implemented new policies to support the delivery of postsecondary opportunities in correctional facilities. However, the department needed an easy avenue to view which opportunities are available near correctional facilities.
Opportunity
The Crime Lab worked alongside IDOC to create interactive statewide maps of IDOC facilities and postsecondary education providers, allowing stakeholders to locate educational opportunities near correctional facilities. The publicly available maps serve as a resource for IDOC to build and expand relationships with nearby education providers to ensure a college education is available in correctional facilities.
Project overview
The Crime Lab worked with the Illinois Department of Corrections to create interactive statewide maps. Due to a new IDOC policy allowing for easier access to educational opportunities for people experiencing incarceration, the IDOC expected an influx of interest in in-custody educational opportunities. To facilitate that interest, the Crime Lab created maps that displayed IDOC facilities, nearby institutions of higher education, and facilities that offer other types of supportive services.
Year Started
2022 – present
Topics
Project Leads
Katie Larsen
Research Manager
Martin Barron
Senior Director of Data and Analysis
Press Release: IDOC Announces Comprehensive College Education in Prison Policy
The maps are publicly available on the IDOC website and can be used to identify resources near IDOC facilities both for people currently experiencing incarceration and those who have recently reentered the community. The maps will also help IDOC plan for improved coordination of services by allowing each staff at each facility to filter for the nearest educational institutes.