Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro

As IYC-Murphysboro enters its seventh year of existence as the state's only juvenile boot camp, the mission of the facility remains clear: to prepare youth for positive, successful lives by developing self-discipline, teamwork, self-esteem and self-worth as individuals. To accomplish this, staff consistently strives to provide a military-style environment that encourages cadets to reach a higher point in their lives.

Cadets begin the eye-opening experience of participating in the boot camp program at 5:30 a.m. each morning and continue the fully programmed day until 9 p.m., seven days a week. It takes many staff, volunteers and mentors to fill those 16-hour days. Education continues to be central to all programming at IYC-Murphysboro.

Highlights

The success of the education department at IYC-Murphysboro is evident in the achievement of its GED students. Since July 1, 2001, IYC-Murphysboro has had a 100 percent GED pass rate, making it the highest pass rate in the state for the longest period of time.

Cadets learn skills that will help them be more successful in school, have greater self-control and better peer relations and be more empathetic with others. Cadets participate in academic programs including elementary, secondary and special education as well as GED preparation. Horticulture and construction occupations are also offered as vocational courses. Through Habitat for Humanity, the construction occupation classes completed four storage buildings that were presented to low-income families in the community in FY 2003.

Education staff also received honors. Library Associate Pamela Korando was selected as School District 428 Employee of the Year. Horticulture Educator Pete Pederson was recognized by the Illinois Humanities Council and chosen to attend a seminar at Pere Marquette State Park.

Reducing Recidivism

Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) life skills instructors began assisting boot camp staff with post-incarceration planning and preparation in FY 2003. SIC staff works with those cadets planning to attend the Prisoner Review Board to ensure they are aware of skills needed to apply for a job, complete a resume and budget their money. Certified CPR instructors from IYC-Murphysboro also contribute their knowledge by teaching basic life support skills. Cadets learn one and two-person CPR and basic first-aid procedures. Staff also provides a brief demonstration of the automatic external defibrillator to round out the training. Cadets who complete this portion of the program receive a CPR card through the American Heart Association.

Volunteers continue to be an integral part of IYC-Murphysboro's success. A new mentoring program was launched in FY 2003. Students from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale volunteer their time on Saturday afternoons to teach perspective graduates social skills and job interviewing skills as well as anger and stress management. Volunteers logged more than 1,800 hours at IYC-Murphysboro in FY 2003.

IYC-Murphysboro continues to provide clinical internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students attending local universities and colleges. The interns have the opportunity to obtain their required internship hours at the facility for courses such as criminal justice, psychology, social work and rehabilitation.

The mentoring program at IYC-Murphysboro matches corrections staff with college students and college instructors to work together to attain a common goal of reducing the recidivism rate among juvenile offenders and giving IYC-Murphysboro cadets a head start in their communities.

Substance abuse service opportunities continue to grow at IYC-Murphysboro. In FY 2003, the substance abuse group was converted to substance abuse therapy. Cadets receive these services through a continuum of orientation, intensive substance abuse group therapy and post-incarceration classes. Cadets participating in the intensive substance abuse therapy portion receive approximately 15 hours per week of programming.

Programming consists of small therapeutic discussion groups designed to explore specific drug information, life skills and recovery and relapse prevention to assist cadets in identifying destructive thinking patterns. Cadets set and review daily personal goals to encourage and monitor their progress through the program.

Clinical staff provides specific programming on anger management, drug education and relaxation training. Support groups are also offered Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Community presenters routinely provide presentations of violence prevention, mentoring and job skills.

Several adventure-based programs allow youth to participate in a unique correctional alternative that challenges each youth physically, mentally and emotionally. The Final Challenge consists of either a 5-mile march through Shawnee National Forest, a rock-climbing trip at Giant City State Park or a caving adventure.

The march proves to be demanding for cadets because the first three miles of the march are uphill at Shawnee National Forest.

The rock-climbing trip is more of a mental challenge than physical challenge. Every month cadets practice on the challenge course at the boot camp in preparation for the rock climb. Cadets learn to deal with obstacles on an individual basis as they climb several feet in the air at the state park.

Caving is primarily used in the summer and winter months because the temperature inside the cave is a constant 54 degrees. Caving allows cadets to safely step out of their comfort zone and learn how to better handle stress under adversity.

At this point in the program, most cadets understand safety and security requirements of staff at the boot camp and are allowed outside the facility to tackle the Final Challenge if they pass screening requirements.

Cadets learn the value of community service while at the boot camp as they are allowed to enter the community to work at Kinkaid Lake and at Lake Murphysboro State Park. Cadets mow, cut weeds and maintain flowerbeds under direct supervision of security staff.

Security Initiatives

As cadets begin to live the lifestyle demanded by IYC-Murphysboro, they learn strict discipline is required all day, everyday. Because of this strict discipline, cadet management becomes easier for staff. No dangerous disturbances, serious assaults or escapes were reported in FY 2003. Security staff conducted 9,081 cell searches and 2,140 vehicle searches in FY 2003.

Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Compliance

As tight budget times hit every facility in the state in FY 2003, IYC-Murphysboro met or exceeded every budgetary line item in the FY 2003 budget. With the Early Retirement Incentive, the total payroll was significantly reduced from budget expectations. Every department at IYC-Murphysboro made a concerted effort to conserve resources and reduce controllable expenses.

Department heads met monthly in FY 2003 to review the expenditures for the period and anticipate monies available for the future. A cooperative effort helped reduce duplication of services, explore new ways to conserve commodities and concentrate on how to do more with less.

Indicator Reports

Program and Operations staff work together to provide a life changing experience for the cadets, who constantly learn the value of hard work. In FY 2003, cadets worked approximately 1,300 hours in Murphysboro and surrounding communities.

Cadets also worked hard in the classroom. A total of 52 cadets received eighth grade diplomas, 21 received GED certificates and three cadets received their high school diploma in FY 2003.

Conclusion

The boot camp has served more than 1,700 cadets since opening April 15, 1997, and continues to provide a positive learning experience for cadets. That experience in self-discipline, education, teamwork, self-esteem and independence will hopefully build a more responsible youth who is able to return to his home and display those attributes to others on his journey toward a successful life.