IYC-JOLIET is the only Maximum Security Prison for young adult male juveniles.  The youth population at IYC-Joliet consists of violent offenders, negative transfers and the most severe behavior challenged youth in the State of Illinois.  IYC-Joliet is also the parent facility for all Cook County Consent Decree youth.  This population are facing charges such as murder, criminal sexual assault, battery with great bodily harm, gun charges etc.  Youth at IYC-Joliet are not "adaptable" to community placement. In addition these youth are repeat offenders who have exhausted all avenues of services available before finally committed to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Department.

The staff at IYC-Joliet are a dedicated and professional group of individuals who have adapted to the concepts and mission statement of IDJJ.  Although they work with the most violent and behaviorly challenged youth in the State of Illinois,  the staff is dedicated to encouraging the youth to be better, to want better and to understand the mistakes in the past do not need to define who they are going to be.  Youth at IYC-Joliet benefit from one on one counseling, group programs and participation, Mental Health Services, Academic Progamming, Spiritual guidance and a staff that is dedicated to helping them grow in a positive manner.

Family involvement is key to the  mission statement of IDJJ.  In order to be successful on parole, many of these youth will need the support of their family and community.    If the Governor is successful in his proposal to shut down IYC-Joliet he will also be successful in shutting down the fragile relationships that exsist between family members and many of youth we serve.  Our families cannot afford to travel to IYC-HRB or IYC-KEW in order to visit their family members.