Most Illinois jails restrain people in chairs . This county violently shocked them , too . Let me know what you think of this title: **Shocking Treatment at Illinois Jail

This incident, which occurred in 2019, is a stark example of the abuse of power and the potential for harm that can occur when law enforcement officials are not held accountable for their actions. The incident, which was captured on video, sparked outrage and calls for reform within the Charleston Police Department. The video footage showed Fritz’s nakedness, her struggle, and the shocking display of power used against her.

The summary provided details a disturbing incident involving a patient at a psychiatric facility. The patient, who was on suicide watch, exhibited violent behavior, hitting her head repeatedly against the ground. Staff responded by restraining her with a cuff and shocking her with a stun gun. This action was documented in records.

The investigation found that the use of restraint chairs in Illinois jails has been steadily increasing over the time period studied. The Illinois Answers Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating and reporting on issues related to the criminal justice system in Illinois. They conducted a comprehensive study of the use of restraint chairs in Illinois jails, analyzing data from county jails across the state.

This incident, along with others like it, has raised serious concerns about the use of restraint chairs in Illinois jails. The Illinois Answers investigation revealed that the use of restraint chairs in Illinois jails has been on the rise, with a significant increase in the number of hours spent in restraint chairs. The investigation found that the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has been using restraint chairs in a way that is inconsistent with the state’s own policies.

This investigation revealed that the jail continues to use stun cuffs, despite the pledge to stop. The investigation also found that the jail has not implemented the full range of reforms promised, including the creation of a civilian oversight board. The investigation found that the reforms were implemented in a piecemeal fashion, with some changes made quickly, while others were slow to materialize.

**A. Protecting the Rights of People with Disabilities**
**B.

This mandate is known as the “Disability Rights Act.”

The organization’s mission is to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure their well-being. This is achieved through a variety of methods, including litigation, advocacy, and public education. The organization’s work is guided by a strong commitment to social justice and a belief in the inherent dignity of all people. This commitment is reflected in its legal actions, advocacy efforts, and public education initiatives.

“Detainees are restrained for periods in excess of therapeutic or security needs,” the report found. “That detainees are no longer a threat to themselves or others is evidenced by the detainee being able to leave the restraint chair to go to the toilet or being partially released to eat or drink.” Daniel Lee Parks, 31, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Coles County officials in 2019, alleging he was restrained in a chair for three days. Parks, who has diagnosed mental illness and now receives treatment, said he was not properly medicated at the time. “Instead of them trying to assist me, they would place me into a restraint chair,” Parks said, adding, “That would typically just get me more angrier.”

* **Parks’s lawsuit:** A lawsuit filed by a man named Parks against a company called “The Company” was settled for $1,000. * **Reason for the settlement:** Parks couldn’t find an attorney to represent him. * **Financial impact:** The settlement amount was $1,000.

This policy is a clear indication of the potential danger of the device and the need for caution. The manufacturer’s emphasis on taking pictures of burns is particularly noteworthy, suggesting that the device may cause significant and potentially long-lasting damage. The manufacturer’s website also provides a detailed explanation of the device’s functionality, including its intended use, safety precautions, and potential risks.

The group noted that being “deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious harm” violates the detainee’s constitutional rights; and, restraining a person with mental illness, rather than finding appropriate treatment, may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. In Fritz’s case, staff placed the stun cuff on her left calf “in light of her continued attempts to free herself” from the chair, a county incident report states. Staff shocked her once, the report says. More than an hour-and-a-half later, staff released Fritz from the chair and then removed the cuff, records show. She said she had marks from the electrodes on her leg for months. In its required report to the state, the jail detailed use of the chair but did not mention the stun cuff.

This incident, along with others, led to a lawsuit filed by the man against the facility. The lawsuit alleged that the staff’s actions were excessive and violated his rights. The man’s lawyer argued that the staff’s use of force was unjustified and that the facility was not adequately equipped to handle his mental health needs.

This lack of screening and follow-up contributed to the jail’s failure to address the mental health needs of detainees. The report also found that the jail’s mental health program was not adequately staffed. The jail had only one mental health professional, who was responsible for all detainees.

This practice, known as medication withholding, is a serious violation of detainees’ rights and can have severe consequences for their physical and mental health. The report also highlighted the lack of adequate mental health services within the Coles County Jail. The report found that the jail had only one psychiatrist and one psychologist, which was insufficient to meet the needs of the detainees.

A man was arrested and taken to a jail cell. He was then moved to a different cell, but he continued to resist and refuse to cooperate with the officers. He was Tased and placed in a chair.

This incident highlights the need for improved communication and coordination between law enforcement and medical professionals. The man’s repeated head injuries, coupled with his resistance to release, suggest a potential medical issue that requires further investigation. The incident also raises concerns about the jail’s capacity to handle individuals with mental health issues. The man’s behavior, coupled with his repeated head injuries, suggests a potential need for specialized care and resources.

**A. The Crucial Role of Timely Medical Care in Correctional Facilities**
**B.

This statement highlights the critical importance of timely medical attention in correctional facilities. The lack of adequate medical care can lead to serious health complications and even death. Dr. Stern’s expertise in correctional healthcare and his experience with the DOJ’s monitoring of correctional facilities provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by correctional facilities in providing adequate medical care.

This is a significant development because it highlights the possibility of a systemic issue within the jail. The HRA’s investigation revealed that the jail’s practices and policies were not adequately addressing the issue of excessive force. This finding is particularly concerning given the history of excessive force complaints against the jail. The HRA’s investigation also revealed that the jail’s practices and policies were not adequately addressing the issue of mental health care.

This is a case of a man who was restrained by police officers in a public place. The man was allegedly involved in a public disturbance, and the police officers responded by using force to subdue him. The man’s family is upset about the use of force, and they are seeking answers about what happened. The man’s initial contact with Illinois Answers was a phone call.

The HRA investigation found that the jail had violated several policies, including the use of excessive force, failure to provide adequate medical care, and inadequate staffing levels. The HRA investigation revealed that on a particular day, a prisoner was subjected to excessive force by jail staff. This prisoner, identified as John Doe, was restrained by officers using a chokehold.

* The sheriff’s department in a specific location has taken swift action to address concerns about excessive force and racial bias in their practices. * The sheriff’s department has stopped using stun cuffs, which were previously used in a controversial manner. * The sheriff has acknowledged the need for reform and has committed to implementing changes. * The sheriff’s department has also implemented a new policy for de-escalation training for officers.

Some action, but little progress Since then, the jail has taken action on some recommendations but failed to make progress on others amid a change in leadership, Illinois Answers found. Many of the most extreme incidents took place under the tenure of former Sheriff Rankin, who was elected in 2014 and resigned in early 2022, months before his term ended. At least nine other employees also left the department that year. Martin was elected and took office in late 2022. He said he was unaware of the advocacy groups’ reports when first questioned by Illinois Answers. Martin said that Rankin was frequently absent, so staff stopped soliciting his input and took matters into their own hands.

“There was kind of a void there in leadership,” Martin said, adding, “There wasn’t necessarily as much oversight as there should have been.” Rankin did not respond to numerous requests for comment by phone, email and mail. Martin said Coles County Jail staff may have been retrained on the use of restraint chairs after the reports, but his office could provide no documentation. In response to the HRA’s recommendation from late 2020, the jail created a policy specifically focused on how to observe possibly suicidal detainees, records show. But that didn’t happen until this past April. Previously, the jail had a general policy on inmate medical care that mentioned “suicide risk screening.”

**IDOC Takes Action to Improve Mental Health Care for Inmates**

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is taking steps to improve mental health care for inmates. The department has added questions about mental health to intake and medical screening. They also plan to adopt a policy requiring mental health screening within two weeks of admission.

In the meantime, he said the jail has been using previously existing cells as “medical observation areas that are equipped with a toilet, in-cell camera, sink, and shower.” In an April interview, Martin said the jail still only had a mental health professional for six hours per week, although he recently budgeted to bump that up to 12 hours. “When they are here, they’re overburdened,” he said, adding that one inmate’s crisis can eat up most of the professional’s time. The jail used to have a padded cell where staff would put someone in crisis, but the padding degraded and became unusable, he said. Martin said he is researching options on converting an existing cell into a padded cell and hopes to include a request for one in the next fiscal year budget.

“Without having a cash cow or a staffing explosion, I’m not sure what the best way is to handle that, frankly,” Martin said. “I think a padded cell may be helpful, so we could at least have a way to keep them from slamming their head into the concrete wall or the steel door, which really the only way we have right now for that is that chair.” Reports missing as restraints continue Even under new leadership, jail staff failed to report some restraint chair incidents to the Jail and Detention Standards Unit — the group within the Illinois Department of Corrections that monitors jails’ compliance with state standards.

The Illinois Answers unit, a state-level initiative aimed at improving transparency and accountability in state government, conducted a review of all reports submitted to the Coles County Jail. This review focused on the reporting requirements outlined in the administrative code, which mandates that jail staff submit reports for a significant portion of all incidents. The review revealed that Coles County Jail staff did not comply with this requirement for a substantial portion of the incidents.

The IDOC (Indiana Department of Correction) has been criticized for its handling of inmate reports. The IDOC claims that they are reviewing reports individually and handling them based on their content. However, critics argue that the IDOC’s response to inmate reports is inconsistent and lacks transparency. The IDOC has been accused of failing to adequately address concerns raised by inmates, leading to a lack of trust in the system.

“For that small of a population to have that number of usages, it’s really concerning,” Antholt said. Records show one person was restrained for half a day in late 2022, and, the following year, one person was restrained for more than six hours and another for nearly 11 hours. A way forward for Coles County Martin said he’s trying to professionalize and modernize the department and promote transparency. He said he has emphasized with staff the importance of documentation and record-keeping. He implemented new software to electronically track cell checks and policy revisions, and he plans to send “daily training bulletins” to quiz his staff.

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has implemented several initiatives to address the violence and substance abuse issues within its facilities. These initiatives include a mentorship program, a recovery program, and the addition of restraint training to all quarterly training dates. **Detailed Text:**

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is committed to creating a safer and more humane environment for its incarcerated population.

He said the jail is understaffed, underfunded, and struggling to meet the needs of its population. The county’s budget for the jail is $1.5 million annually, which is insufficient for the facility’s needs. This budget is significantly lower than the national average for jail budgets, which is around $2.5 million.

Edited by Rachel Aretakis and Casey Toner. Contributing: Cam Rodriguez and Laura Stewart, Illinois Answers Project. Database fact checking by Audrey Azzo, Doris Alvarez and John Volk. Note on the methodology: There’s no clear definition of what constitutes a separate versus ongoing restraint chair “incident” in Illinois, where people are typically restrained in repeated two-hour blocks. For the purposes of this data collection and analysis, Illinois Answers considered an incident to be ongoing if someone was held continuously in a chair, or if they were only given brief and periodic breaks over a long period of restraint. In these cases, county jails often identified the case with a unique incident number, kept an ongoing observation log, and submitted a single, all-encompassing report to the state. Illinois Answers considered an incident as separate if someone was released from a chair for a prolonged period of time before being restrained again. In these cases, county jails often designated separate incident numbers, logs, and reports.

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