HOW TO LOCATE A CLIENT WHO IS IN PRISON

Each prison in Illinois has its own prisoner identification system where every prisoner in that system has an identification number, which only applies to that system. (For example. Prisoner X might have identification number 11334 when he is incarcerated at Cook County. Then he is moved to Stateville. His number at Stateville is F99999). So, in order to locate a client who is presently in prison, you must know his identification number in the particular system where he is incarcerated. If you have this number, you do not need any further information. If you do not have your client's identification number, you must have at least the following information: the client's full name, his/her date of birth, what he/she is charged with/has been convicted of. In some prison systems, it is also important to know the race of your client. Please note that the less information you have about your client, the less chance you will have to get an accurate identification number and prison location.

COOK COUNTY

In Cook County you would phone either Male Records or Female Records to locate your client. There are three phone numbers for the Records Department and they are to be used in the order in which they appear.

Cook County Jail - 376-9800

General Department of Corrections Number - 890-7100

Records Department Direct Line - 890-6801

In other words, we prefer that you generally use the first number, and if you have problems or there is an emergency, you can try the other two numbers. You must identify yourself; state which attorney you are working for; tell the staff members that you are trying to contact your client and give the client's name; and ask for the client's identification number and their location. The current Records Department is opened from 9:00 a.m. to about 4:30-5:00 p.m. The line is often busy so don't give up hope of making contact.

The Metropolitan Correctional Center ("MCC") now permits direct dialing as follows:

Warden - 322-7500

Warden's Secretary - 322-7501

Warden's Executive Assistant - 322-7503

Paralegal Specialist - 322-7442

Associate Warden - (Programs) - 322-7524

Associate Warden (Operations) - 322-7526

Adm. Systems Manager - 322-7455

CTC Unit Manager - 322-7180

Pre-Trial Unit Manager - 322-7460

Pre-Trial Unit Secretary - 322-7464

Holdover/Writ Unit Manager - 322-7467

Holdover/Writ Unit Secretary - 322-7464

Work Cadre Unit Manager -

Work Cadre Unit Secretary -

Chief of Psychology Services -

Mail to Prisoners

Please be advised that all legal mail sent to inmates at the Metropolitan Correctional Center ("MCC") will be opened unless both the envelope and its contents are clearly marked "Legal Mail." The fact that communications are sent on attorney stationary is not enough.

OUTSIDE COOK COUNTY

Outside of Cook County you would phone the Records Division of the appropriate Department of Corrections Center. In most cases these departments will give you an identification number and a post office box number (rather than a tier location). Some useful phone numbers:

DuPage County Jail - 682-7273

Joliet Correctional Center - (815) 727-6141

Kane County Jail - 232-3400

Logan Correctional Center - (217) 735-5581

Lake County Sheriff's Department (Illinois) 689-6300

Mennard Correctional Center - (618) 829-5071

Pontiac Correctional Center - (815) 842-2816

Stateville Correctional Center - (815) 727-3607