McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility

McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility Information

The History and Operations of the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility

Introduction

Located in Woodstock, Illinois, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility plays an important role in administering justice in the region. With a history spanning over 180 years, the facility has grown and evolved to meet the needs of McHenry County. This article provides an in-depth look at the origins, operations, and commitments of this vital county institution.

A Long History of Serving McHenry County 

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the original McHenry County Jail were both established back in 1837. As the county experienced population growth over the decades, the need for more jail space also expanded. In 1972, a new government center was constructed in the county, but it wasn't until twenty years later in 1992 that the current adult correctional facility was built to provide dedicated space for incarcerated individuals. 

In 2006, major expansions increased the jail's capacity even further. Today, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility can house approximately 650 inmates and employs a staff of 156 correctional officers and other personnel.

Average Daily Population and Demographics

In 2020, there were 3,980 new admissions to the correctional facility. Of these new inmates, 3,312 were male and 668 females. The average daily population for that year was 372, including 333 men and 39 women.

The following year, 2021, saw 3,407 new intakes. 2,764 of these were male and 643 females. The average daily population decreased slightly to 338 total inmates, with 301 men and 37 women on average. 

Additionally in 2021, there were two substantiated cases of sexual harassment committed by staff members. One was a contract staff member and the other was a custody staff member. Both individuals were terminated after the investigations.

So far in 2022 through October, there have been 2,974 new admissions, with 2,297 men and 677 women. The current daily average population stands at 221 inmates, made up of 194 men and 27 women.

Facility Details and Oversight

While McHenry County owns the correctional facility, daily operations are managed by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. The facility collaborates closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through a partnership with ICE's Chicago Field Office. This allows the facility to house ICE detainees in addition to county inmates.

Medical care inside the jail is provided by Wellpath, while food service and commissary are handled by Aramark.

The McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility maintains accreditation through several organizations, including:

- American Correctional Association (ACA) - accredited in January 2020
- National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) - accredited in July 2019  
- Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program - accredited in December 2020

The facility complies with the National Detention Standards 2000 for the just and humane treatment of detainees.

Work and Volunteer Programs Offer Rehabilitation

The McHenry County Jail runs an Inmate Worker Program that allows selected inmates to support orderly jail operations. Under supervision of correctional officers, these individuals work in critical areas like the kitchen, laundry, and janitorial services. This provides productive activity for the inmates and helps them build skills for potential employment after release.

The facility also operates a Sheriff's Road Crew program where low-risk inmates can volunteer to perform community service outside the jail. Handpicked inmates work on projects like litter cleanup, pothole patching, and washing county vehicles. This provides free labor for community needs while giving the inmates positive interaction and job skills.

Special Response Unit Handles Critical Incidents 

The jail's Special Response Unit (SRU) consists of three specialized teams trained to handle serious incidents and emergencies:

- **Tactical Team** - Handles critical situations like barricaded subjects, cell extractions, riots, and high-risk inmate transportation. Team members receive special tactical training.

- **Crisis Team** - Provides support to inmates experiencing personal crises. Also trained to negotiate with inmates during critical facility incidents. Delivers proactive intervention to maintain well-being. 

- **Intel Team** - Investigates crimes and violations of rules committed within the facility. Conducts investigations related to PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) standards. 

By working together, these teams provide the facility with full coverage for responding to incidents, assisting vulnerable inmates, and promoting safety and security.

Commitment to PREA Standards and Assault Prevention

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the Adult Correctional Facility take a zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse and assault of inmates and detainees. Comprehensive policies and procedures align with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards for preventing, reporting, and responding to any incidents of sexual misconduct.

Some key elements of the sexual abuse and assault prevention program include:

- Procedures for staff, contractors, and inmates on identifying and reporting improper sexual behavior
- Thorough investigating and tracking of all allegations
- Avoiding unnecessary embarrassment or indignity to victims during investigations
- Pursuing administrative and criminal sanctions against perpetrators
- Immediate first aid and medical referrals for victims if needed

Adherence to the PREA standards and commitment to inmate safety helps ensure a secure facility free from sexual predation and violence.

Final Thoughts

With a long history dating back to the 19th century, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility today provides efficient and humane management of inmates while partnering with agencies like ICE. Work programs, crisis intervention teams, and stringent PREA policies demonstrate the facility's commitment to safety, security and inmate rehabilitation. The jail continues to evolve to meet the needs of the growing McHenry County community.

Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I visit an inmate at the facility?

Visitation schedules and rules can be found on the McHenry County Sheriff's website. You will need to identify yourself and go through a check-in process.

### How do I send money to a detainee in McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility?

Money can be deposited into an inmate's account through the jail's authorized vendor. This can be done online, over the phone, or at some in-person locations. Valid ID is required.

### What items can be mailed to inmates?

There are restrictions on mail contents. Only papers, photos, and magazines can be sent. No food, personal items, or other packages are allowed.

### Can inmates make phone calls? 

Yes, inmates can make domestic calls by signing up for an account with the facility's contracted service provider. International calls may also be possible. Calls are time-limited.

### How does the bail/bond process work?

For bail information, you must contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Bonds can be posted by certified check, cash, or through a bondsman. ID required.

Phone: 815-338-9396

Physical Address:
McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility
2200 N Seminary Ave
Woodstock, IL 60098

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility
2200 N Seminary Ave
Woodstock, IL 60098

Other Jails and Prisons

Search McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility Inmates

Search McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility Inmates

How Do You Find Someone in the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility?

How to Find Someone in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainee Locator

When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE. 

Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.

However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.


There are two ways to search for an ICE Detainee:

You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.

  • An A-Number is a 9-digit number that either looks like this: A-123456789, or like this 123-456-789. This is required if you do not know their name.
    It is also called a Registration Number when on a visa, or a USCIS# when on a Green Card.
    If for whatever reason the A-Number you have does not have 9-digits, you need to add 0s (zeroes) to the front of the number until the number has 9-digits.

    That number might then look like this:  001234567.


You can also try and look them up by using their name.

  • In order for this to be effective, you need to have the exact name that is either on their paperwork, or the the name with the exact spelling that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • You also need to know the country of their birth, or the country of their birth that they gave ICE. This is required.
  • Knowing their Date of Birth is helpful but not required to find them in the system.


Important things to know about using the ICE Detainee Locator

  • You do not need to set up an account to use the Detainee Locator System.
  • A-Number stands for 'Alien Registration Number'.
  • The System does not have information on all detainees in custody.
  • Juvenile names are NOT in the System.
  • The Detainee Locator System is updated every 8 hours, sometimes sooner.
  • If the detainee is being moved to a new facility, the new location will not be shown until they have arrived and are processed. 
  • No warnings or prior notice are given in advance of a detainee being moved.
  • While being transferred to a different facility they may still be shown online as being in the original facility.
  • If you are planning a visit, always call before you come to confirm the detainee is still at the facility and has not been moved.
  • To visit a detainee you must have some type of government issued photo ID, or other identification when photo identification is unavailable for religious reasons.
  • If you are unable to find the detainee using the System, contact the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the area where you believe the person's immigration case was initiated or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) at 888-351-4024.

Pamphlets in various languages with Instructions on how to use the Online Detainee Locator System:

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About the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility

The History and Operations of the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility

Introduction

Located in Woodstock, Illinois, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility plays an important role in administering justice in the region. With a history spanning over 180 years, the facility has grown and evolved to meet the needs of McHenry County. This article provides an in-depth look at the origins, operations, and commitments of this vital county institution.

A Long History of Serving McHenry County 

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the original McHenry County Jail were both established back in 1837. As the county experienced population growth over the decades, the need for more jail space also expanded. In 1972, a new government center was constructed in the county, but it wasn't until twenty years later in 1992 that the current adult correctional facility was built to provide dedicated space for incarcerated individuals. 

In 2006, major expansions increased the jail's capacity even further. Today, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility can house approximately 650 inmates and employs a staff of 156 correctional officers and other personnel.

Average Daily Population and Demographics

In 2020, there were 3,980 new admissions to the correctional facility. Of these new inmates, 3,312 were male and 668 females. The average daily population for that year was 372, including 333 men and 39 women.

The following year, 2021, saw 3,407 new intakes. 2,764 of these were male and 643 females. The average daily population decreased slightly to 338 total inmates, with 301 men and 37 women on average. 

Additionally in 2021, there were two substantiated cases of sexual harassment committed by staff members. One was a contract staff member and the other was a custody staff member. Both individuals were terminated after the investigations.

So far in 2022 through October, there have been 2,974 new admissions, with 2,297 men and 677 women. The current daily average population stands at 221 inmates, made up of 194 men and 27 women.

Facility Details and Oversight

While McHenry County owns the correctional facility, daily operations are managed by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. The facility collaborates closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through a partnership with ICE's Chicago Field Office. This allows the facility to house ICE detainees in addition to county inmates.

Medical care inside the jail is provided by Wellpath, while food service and commissary are handled by Aramark.

The McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility maintains accreditation through several organizations, including:

- American Correctional Association (ACA) - accredited in January 2020
- National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) - accredited in July 2019  
- Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program - accredited in December 2020

The facility complies with the National Detention Standards 2000 for the just and humane treatment of detainees.

Work and Volunteer Programs Offer Rehabilitation

The McHenry County Jail runs an Inmate Worker Program that allows selected inmates to support orderly jail operations. Under supervision of correctional officers, these individuals work in critical areas like the kitchen, laundry, and janitorial services. This provides productive activity for the inmates and helps them build skills for potential employment after release.

The facility also operates a Sheriff's Road Crew program where low-risk inmates can volunteer to perform community service outside the jail. Handpicked inmates work on projects like litter cleanup, pothole patching, and washing county vehicles. This provides free labor for community needs while giving the inmates positive interaction and job skills.

Special Response Unit Handles Critical Incidents 

The jail's Special Response Unit (SRU) consists of three specialized teams trained to handle serious incidents and emergencies:

- **Tactical Team** - Handles critical situations like barricaded subjects, cell extractions, riots, and high-risk inmate transportation. Team members receive special tactical training.

- **Crisis Team** - Provides support to inmates experiencing personal crises. Also trained to negotiate with inmates during critical facility incidents. Delivers proactive intervention to maintain well-being. 

- **Intel Team** - Investigates crimes and violations of rules committed within the facility. Conducts investigations related to PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) standards. 

By working together, these teams provide the facility with full coverage for responding to incidents, assisting vulnerable inmates, and promoting safety and security.

Commitment to PREA Standards and Assault Prevention

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the Adult Correctional Facility take a zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse and assault of inmates and detainees. Comprehensive policies and procedures align with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards for preventing, reporting, and responding to any incidents of sexual misconduct.

Some key elements of the sexual abuse and assault prevention program include:

- Procedures for staff, contractors, and inmates on identifying and reporting improper sexual behavior
- Thorough investigating and tracking of all allegations
- Avoiding unnecessary embarrassment or indignity to victims during investigations
- Pursuing administrative and criminal sanctions against perpetrators
- Immediate first aid and medical referrals for victims if needed

Adherence to the PREA standards and commitment to inmate safety helps ensure a secure facility free from sexual predation and violence.

Final Thoughts

With a long history dating back to the 19th century, the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility today provides efficient and humane management of inmates while partnering with agencies like ICE. Work programs, crisis intervention teams, and stringent PREA policies demonstrate the facility's commitment to safety, security and inmate rehabilitation. The jail continues to evolve to meet the needs of the growing McHenry County community.

Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I visit an inmate at the facility?

Visitation schedules and rules can be found on the McHenry County Sheriff's website. You will need to identify yourself and go through a check-in process.

### How do I send money to a detainee in McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility?

Money can be deposited into an inmate's account through the jail's authorized vendor. This can be done online, over the phone, or at some in-person locations. Valid ID is required.

### What items can be mailed to inmates?

There are restrictions on mail contents. Only papers, photos, and magazines can be sent. No food, personal items, or other packages are allowed.

### Can inmates make phone calls? 

Yes, inmates can make domestic calls by signing up for an account with the facility's contracted service provider. International calls may also be possible. Calls are time-limited.

### How does the bail/bond process work?

For bail information, you must contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Bonds can be posted by certified check, cash, or through a bondsman. ID required.

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Directions / Map to the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility
Understanding US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

What is an ICE Detention Center?

Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.

Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.

What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?

ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.

Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:

The illegal immigrant has:

  • committed a crime, or multiple crimes
  • arrived at the border without a visa prior to formally applying for asylum or refugee status
  • an outstanding removal (deportation) order on record, either pending or past due, or
  • missed prior immigration hearing dates.

 

How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?

The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.

It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.

The information you will need is as follows:

  • the person’s full name as it appears in the ICE System. The exact spelling and the order of how the name is listed is required.
  • the person’s date of birth
  • the person’s country of birth

If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.

If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.

If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.

Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.

Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.

The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.

If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.

Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.

How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?

The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.

This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.

Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?

The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.

If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.

What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?

(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)

  • Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude (see list). This includes any attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime. It does not include crimes that were committed that the illegal immigrant committed when they were under the age of 18 years, however the person must have been released from jail more than five years before applying for a visa or other immigration benefit. It also does not include crimes for which the maximum penalty did not exceed one year in prison and the person was not, in fact, sentenced to more than six months in prison.
  • Conviction or admission of a controlled substance violation, whether under U.S. or foreign law. This includes any conspiracy to commit such a crime.
  • Convictions for two or more crimes (other than purely political ones) for which the prison sentences totaled at least five years. This multiple-offense ground of inadmissibility applies whether or not the convictions came from a single trial and whether or not the offenses arose from a single scheme of misconduct or involved moral turpitude.
  • Conviction of or participation in (according to the reasonable belief of the U.S. government) controlled substance trafficking. This includes anyone who knowingly aided, abetted, assisted, conspired, or colluded in illicit drug trafficking. It also includes the spouse, son, or daughter of the inadmissible applicant if that person has, within the last five years, received any financial or other benefit from the illicit activities, and knew or reasonably should have known where the money or benefit came from.
  • Having the purpose of engaging in prostitution or commercialized vice upon coming to the United States, or a history, within the previous ten years, of having engaged in prostitution.
  • Procurement or attempted procurement or importation of prostitutes, directly or indirectly, or receipt of proceeds of prostitution, any of which occurred within the previous ten years.
  • Assertion of immunity from prosecution after committing a serious criminal offense in the U.S., if the person was thus able to depart the U.S. and has not since submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the relevant U.S. Court.
  • Commission of particularly severe violations of religious freedom while serving as a foreign government official.
  • Commission of or conspiracy to commit human trafficking offenses, within or outside the U.S., or being a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with such a trafficker according to the knowledge or reasonable belief of the U.S. government. Also inadmissible are the spouse, son, or daughter the applicant if they, within the previous five years (but when older than children), received financial or other benefits from the illicit activity and knew or reasonably should have known that the money or other benefit came from the illicit activity.
  • Conviction of an aggravated felony, if the person was removed from the U.S. and seeks to return (this ground of inadmissibility lasts for 20 years)
  • Seeking to enter the U.S. to engage in money laundering, or a history of having laundered money, or having been (according to the knowledge of the U.S. government) a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with money launderers.

These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.

Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?

If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.

The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).

Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.

Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.

Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.

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This facility, known as "McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.