By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Former 11th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb is spending part of her retirement serving on a commission charged with reducing Illinois’ prison population.
The goal of the Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform is to reduce the prison population by 25 percent by 2025. Robb told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin she believes it’s a realistic objective.
“In February of this year there was nearly 50,000 people in prison in the State of Illinois. A reduction of 25 percent would be 12,000 people by 2025,” said Robb. “We’ve identified some pretty significant populations where we think reductions could occur.”
Podcast: Listen to Robb’s full conversation on WJBC.
Robb said they’re looking at the prison sentencing for low level felony offenders, along with the effect of mandatory sentencing. The commission is also discussing how mental health issues effect the prison population.
“Treatment availability is reducing and the concern is that if there is a higher number of individuals who are not sent to prison, but are supervised locally, that those resources will have to be available in the community for this reduction in prison population to be effective,” she said.
More reforms being looked at include the number of parole violations which land a person back in prison.
Robb said at the end of the day offenders need to be punished, but their behavior also needs to be changed.
“That’s one of the things that we’re also looking at,” said Robb. “Understanding what’s the right amount of services and support to be provided to individuals so that they permanently change their behavior.”
The group first met back in March. Another meeting is scheduled for Sep. 1.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
