At an average cost of $90,000 per juvenile per year, and a 50% recidivism rate, the Illinois juvenile prison system must be overhauled. Unlike the overcrowding in Illinois adult prisons, the state’s eight juvenile prisons are at roughly 70% capacity. Governor Quinn has recommended closing two Illinois youth prisons by July 2012. This will save the state over $17 million and will ultimately increase community safety. Please let Governor Quinn know that you support this recommendation and ask him to stand firm in closing these youth prisons.