John Howard Association of Illinois

The John Howard Association (JHA) independently monitors correctional facilities, policies and practices, and advances reforms needed to achieve a fair, humane and effective criminal justice system in Illinois. As Illinois only non-partisan prison watch dog and correctional policy organization, JHAs primary activities are: 1. Monitoring all of Illinois prisons, both adult and juvenile. To monitor prison conditions and programs, JHA staff and volunteers tour every prison to observe, collect data, and talk to those who live and work inside the prisons. Our visits result in reports that inform the public, media, and law and policy makers about the issues inside Illinois prisons. 2. Advocating to improve the criminal justice and prison systems. JHAs advocacy program includes: advancing legislative initiatives; serving on advisory boards to Illinois correctional agencies; providing expert testimony to state and national legislative and executive branch committees and commissions; a...