Sheridan Correctional Center

Sheridan Correctional Center in Sheridan, Illinois is a medium security state prison that is operated as a dedicated substance abuse treatment facility where clinical services are delivered by WestCare Illinois.

The program provides long term intensive treatment.

Treatment uses cognitive behavioral therapy with a modified Therapeutic Community model for incarcerated adult men and they are the largest fully dedicated prison treatment and reentry facility in the United States.

Treatment for Incarcerated Offenders

Treatment at Sheridan runs nine to 36 months.

The length is determined by each participant's assessed need and the program is a multi-phase modified Therapeutic Community designed for men with extensive criminal histories and substance use disorders.

That duration is longer than a 30 or 90 day rehab.

This is because everyone housed at Sheridan is there because of a treatment need and the entire facility which includes its 13 housing units operates around the therapeutic model instead of one program among many inside a general prison.

Admission is not a choice made by the prisoner.

Placement occurs through the Illinois Department of Corrections and the program works to ensure participants will eventually return to the community instead of a discharge date that is tied to insurance authorization.

Post Release State Funded Treatment

They are one of the largest substance abuse treatment programs in the nation.

Sheridan Correctional Center has been the subject of independent academic evaluation which includes a Loyola University Chicago process and impact evaluation which covered 2004 through 2010.

Treatment extends past release of the prisoner.

Release from custody includes treatment coordination with WestCare who works with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Adult Parole as well as community service providers for reintegration support after release.

Sheridan houses men placed through IDOC.

The program covers residents of La Salle County and areas that surround it based on department placement and treatment is state funded through the correctional system rather than private pay or insurance.