Illinois State Penitentiary (Joliet, Ill.)

The first state penitentiary, authorized by the General Assembly (1827) and constructed in Alton (completed 1831) was managed by a warden overseen by four inspectors. A new penitentiary at Joliet was authorized (1857) and built by Alton convicts (completed 1860) who were transferred to the new prison while the Alton site became a Civil War military prison. Although the warden oversaw Joliet prison operations, it was not until 1867 that the legislature created three Penitentiary Commissioners to serve as a board of inspectors. Under the Civil Administrative Code of 1917, the Joliet prison along with three other sites was placed under the Dept. of Public Welfare but retained its individual governing structures. These facilities were consolidated into the Illinois State Penitentiary system (1933) and individual penitentiary commissions abolished. The Dept. of Public Safety assummed responsibility for the branches (1941-1970) until the Dept. of Corrections was created to oversee all state penal institutions (1970- ).

The first state penitentiary, authorized by the General Assembly (1827) and constructed in Alton (completed 1831) was managed by a General Assembly-appointed warden overseen by four Governor-appointed inspectors. A new penitentiary at Joliet was authorized (1857) and built by Alton convicts (completed 1860) who were transferred to the new prison while the Alton site became a Civil War military prison. Although the Governor-appointed warden oversaw prison operations at Joliet, it was not until 1867 that the legislature created three Penitentiary Commissioner posts (also gubernatorial appointees) to serve as a board of inspectors. Under the Civil Administrative Code of 1917, the Joliet prison along with Southern Illinois Penitentiary, Illinois Asylum for Insane Criminals, and Illinois State Reformatory were placed under the Dept. of Public Welfare but retained their individual governing structures. These facilities were consolidated into the Illinois State Penitentiary system (1933) and individual penitentiary commissions abolished. The Dept. of Public Safety assummed responsibility for the branches (1941-1970) until the Dept. of Corrections was created to oversee all state penal institutions (1970- ).

The first state penitentiary, authorized by the General Assembly (1827), and constructed in Alton (completed 1831) was managed by a General Assembly-appointed warden overseen by four Governor-appointed inspectors. A new penitentiary at Joliet (authorized 1857) was built by Alton convicts (completed 1860) who were transferred to Joliet while the Alton site was used as a Civil War military prison. Although the Governor-appointed Joliet warden oversaw prison operations, it was not until 1867 when the legislature created three Penitentiary Commissioner posts (gubernatorial appointees) to serve as board of inspectors. Under the Civil Administrative Code of 1917, the Joliet site along with the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, Illinois Asylum for Insane Criminals, and Illinois State Reformatory were placed under the Dept. of Public Welfare but retained their individual governing structures. These facilities were consoldiated into the Illinois State Penitentiary system (1933) and individual penitentiary commissions abolished. The Dept. of Public Safety assummed responsibility for the branches (1941-1970) until the Dept. of Corrections was created to oversee all state penal institutions (1970- ).

The first state penitentiary was authorized by the General Assembly in 1827 and constructed in Alton. After its completion (1831), the penitentiary was managed by a General Assembly-appointed warden overseen by four Governor-appointed inspectors. A new penitentiary at Joliet was authorized (1857) and built by Alton convicts. When the Joliet prison was completed (1860), Alton prisoners were transferred there and the Alton site was used as a Civil War military prison. Although a gubernatorially appointed warden oversaw prison operations it was not until 1867 that the legislature created three Penitentiary Commissioner posts (Governor-appointed) to serve as a board of inspectors. Under the Civil Administrative Code of 1917, Joliet along with Southern Illinois Penitentiary, Illinois Asylum for Insane Criminals, and Illinois State Reformatory were placed under the Dept. of Public Welfare but each retained its individual governing structure. These facilities were consoldiated administratively into the Illinois State Penitentiary system (1933) and individual penitentiary commissions abolished. The Dept. of Public Safety assummed responsibility for the branches (1941-1970) until the Dept. of Corrections was created to oversee all state penal institutions.

The Commissioners of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, R. L. Dulaney, A. M. Jones, and S. H. Jones were appointed on April 1, 1877 by the Governor of Illinois, Shelby M. Cullom. They were given the responsibility of investigating reports of brutality in the disciplining of prisoners confined at Joliet. Accusations of brutality centered on the treatment of prisoners in "solitary confinement." The whipping, gagging, and trussing up of prisoners was alleged to be standard punishment for recalcitrant prisoners. However, the "Report of the Commissioners…For the Two Years Ending September 30, 1878" makes no allusion to the alleged incidents, except to the prison physician's recommendation that "sound-deadened walls" be installed in the "solitary" quarters. In addition the report complains of prisoners feigning insanity so that they might be removed from the prison.