Illinois Youth Center Pere MarquetteOpened: March 1963Level 3: Low Medium-Security Juvenile Female
VISITATION
ALL VISITORS, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS, MUST BE ON THE INMATE'S APPROVED VISITING LIST IN ORDER TO VISIT. PROSPECTIVE VISITORS SHOULD CONTACT THE INMATE TO HAVE THEM PLACED ON THE VISITING LIST.
Information on this page is intended to answer questions and provide guidance for individuals who want to visit an inmate at an Illinois correctional facility.
You may download files to study the Visitation Rules that govern behavior of inmates and visitors.
On the first visit to any correctional facility, the visitors will be required to have a photo identification, such as a driver's license, a state identification card, or acceptable documentation of non-US citizen including a current passport, Visa, or Matricula, and documentation that includes their date of birth.Please have two forms of identification; one should be a photo ID for additional visits.call facility for hours
Business Mail:17808 State Highway 100WGrafton, Il 62037Phone: (618) 786-2371 Inmate Mail: 17808 State Highway 100WGrafton, Il 62037
Illinois Youth Center-Pere Marquette serves a juvenile female population with multi-service needs. IYC-Pere Marquette is a Level 3 medium security facility and is a part of the Division of Women and Family Services that was created in 1999. Prior to incorporation into the Division of Women and Family Services in October 2004, IYC-Pere Marquette held juvenile males committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In the early 1920s, Harry Hill Ferguson, a retired industrialist from Alton, purchased 2,000 acres of property at Cadem Hollow, just west of Grafton on what is now Illinois Route 100. In 1922, Mr. Ferguson purchased limestone blocks from the local Grafton quarries and small portions from an old trading post. Stonemasons were imported from Europe and Yugoslavia. In 1932, Mr. Ferguson's estate was completed: a three-story, 14-room residence; one large double barn; a calving bar; a carriage house; and staff quarters constructed of double limestone.
Ferguson willed the farm to the State of Illinois. It was first used by the Department of Conservation for offices and woodworking shops. In 1961, it was transferred to the Illinois Youth Commission to be used as a forestry camp. It opened March 1, 1963, and housed 25 young men from all parts of Illinois and was officially known as Pere Marquette Boys' Camp. In 1973, it became a residential center under regionalization concept and in July 1981, became today's institution known as Illinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette.
IYC- Pere Marquette is a level three, medium security female facility with an open campus. The facility is nestled in the hills of Grafton, bordering the Illinois River. The borders of the grounds are frontage road on the south, wooded limestone bluffs to the east, and Pere Marquette State Park to the north and west. A public access road runs immediately to the west of the facility. Therefore, the criteria for placement must include youth that are low to moderate escape risk, with behavior that will be conducive for positive adjustment in an open facility. No felons or habitual offenders are accepted.
In June 2005, IYC-Pere Marquette became the first juvenile facility totally dedicated to a modified therapeutic community treatment model, with a focus on regionalizing admissions based on commitment county. IYC-Pere Marquette does not house any special offender population. Youth benefit from more intense intervention and treatment-oriented programming that will ensure them an opportunity for a structured and disciplined setting to educate them in positive life building skills.
IYC-Pere Marquette reinforces positive life style changes by utilizing a level system that focuses on teaching each youth responsibilities, choices and consequences for their actions and decisions. Each youth has four overall areas that points are awarded: education, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and dorm living, which encompasses their overall ability to interact in a positive manner with staff as well as other youth. All staff continues to be trained in childhood development, conflict resolution and the orchestration of the level system. IYC-Pere Marquette emphasizes a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes all staff.
In an ongoing effort to respond to the Governor's initiative to reduce recidivism, the center continues to offer several counseling groups - anger management, drug education and treatment, PEACE (Positively Empowering Affirmative Change through Experience, SELF (Self Empowerment Leads to a better Future), self esteem improvement, family dynamics, parenting, mental illness and medication management, social skills- employment; expressive writing, life skills/employment skills and an Alcoholics Anonymous support group. These programs focus on skill and self-esteem building and acquiring knowledge and tools to equip each youth in the effort to correct the past behaviors and to return to their community as more aware and productive young adults.
School District #428 programs continue to meet the needs of a diverse and challenging population. Programs deliver a spectrum of educational services ranging from elementary to secondary classes and special education classes to GED classes. Educators contributed to the success of students taking the GED test. The retirement of the librarian meant the youth could not access the library's useful and constructive resources. Teachers realized that the valuable resource could promote the educational and growth processes of their students and devised a plan to use the library without a severe disruption of the school schedule. A volunteer librarian will also be available on Saturday mornings so that the youth may use the library.
IYC-Pere Marquette has not had a runaway or an attempt in the past three years, which is a direct result of our controlled movement and accountability of staff to assure compliance.
The center continues its increase of random shakedowns in general line movement, living units and common areas. This ensures the center reduction of contraband and accountability of property. It also accounts for the continued 100 percent negative drug test results.
The center continues to plan for increased installation and utilization of security cameras within and surrounding the living areas for added security.
Dedication and commitment of the staff at IYC-Pere Marquette is to be commended. The staff has continued to manage the operation of the facility proficiently. There is much to be said about the facility's ability to maintain quality operation while functioning with a reduced budget for FY2005 and 2006. The staff has managed to be positive and project a sense of pride in a job well done. All staff has acquired additional duties and has put forth countless efforts to perform these duties in a professional manner and with the spirit of teamwork.