HR0244 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0244 LRB102 17743 ECR 23846 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Other states and countries have developed effective methods of correctional reform by traveling beyond state and national borders; and

WHEREAS, These methods have allowed states to rethink and restructure correctional systems, which has led to lower recidivism rates and prison populations; and

WHEREAS, The recent widespread and dangerous contagion of COVID-19 in prison facilities provides a timely opportunity for public safety stakeholders to recognize the flaws in Illinois' correctional system; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' correctional system can benefit from the implementation of effective incarceration policies, programs, and best practices that aim to reduce correctional spending, alleviate inmate overcrowding at correctional facilities, lower recidivism, and address other challenges; and

WHEREAS, Recognition of effective incarceration policies used by other jurisdictions would provide Illinois with possible solutions to improve its correctional system; and

WHEREAS, The month of March is nationally recognized as Criminal Justice Month, which is coordinated by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences along with the United States Government to promote societal awareness of the causes of crime as well as strategies for prevention and responding to crime; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the week of March 8, 2022 through March 16, 2022, in coordination with National Criminal Justice Month, as Illinois Correctional Reform Week in the state of Illinois to raise awareness of the benefits of looking beyond state borders for effective methods of correctional reform.