EDWARDSVILLE, IL (KMOX) - Last week, we told you about the impact of coronavirus on the justice system. Now KMOX News has learned that county jails in Illinois are housing inmates that should be in state prisons.
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued executive orders to control the spread of the coronavirus, part of that order shut down intakes by the Illinois Department of Corrections.
"They're refusing to take any inmates at this point," explains Major Jeff Connor, Chief Deputy, Madison County Sheriff's Office, "we currently have 24 inmates that are being housed at the Madison County Jail that should be at the Illinois Department of Corrections."
That number is likely to grow. The order is in effect at least through late June. Connor tells KMOX it's becoming harder to properly quarantine inmates. Capacity at the Madison County jail is already reduced because of ongoing facility upgrades.
