Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Division 11

About the Cook County Department of Corrections
The Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), expanding ninety-six acres and 8 city blocks, is the largest single-site jail in the country. Approximately 100,000 individuals circulate through the jail annually. The daily jail population averages 7,500 mainly pre-trial detainees not yet convicted of their charges.
The Cook County Department of Corrections has:
• Ten divisions
• A health services facility
• Two education departments
• Privatized food service and commissary
• Four onsite Sheriff’s Departments
• A dayroom on each living unit for eating and watching television
Mission Statement
The mission of the Cook County Department of Corrections is to ensure the safety of the citizens, correctional staff, and inmates of Cook County. We provide a central location for screening and classification of all defendants and a safe, secure, humane, positive, efficient and constitutionally-operated corrections department with a highly qualified, well-trained and dedicated staff.
https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/cook-county-department-of-corrections/divisions-of-jail/

Are money orders accepted for bonding purposes?
No, we do not accept money orders for bonding purposes; only cash, certified checks and credit cards (in person at the Division 5 lobby) are accepted.
Certified checks must be used during normal banking hours.
If you’re posting a bond by credit card, you must go in-person to Division 5 located at 2700 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608.
For more information on posting bond, click here.

Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Division 11 - Inmate Mail
The mailing address for sending letters to detainees is:
• P.O. Box 089002
Chicago, Illinois 60608
• Be sure to include with the address the detainees name and I.D. number (also known as booking number).
(I.D. numbers can be retrieved from our automated system 773-674-5245 or click here).
Items That Cannot Be Mailed to an Inmate
 ADHESIVE TAPE
 AEROSOL CANS
 BAR SOAP
 BATTERIES
 CANDY
 CIGARETTES OR CIGARS
 CIGARETTE LIGHTER OR MATCHES
 CLOTHING OF ANY SORT (INCL. BUT NOT LIMITED TO: UNDERWEAR; T-SHIRTS; SOCKS; GYM SHOES)
 COSMETICS
 CREDIT CARDS
 DENTAL FLOSS, PASTE OR POWDER
 FOOD
 FOREIGN OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE ENCLOSED
 GLASS, WOOD OR METAL OBJECTS
 GLUE
 HAIR BRUSH, COMB OR PICK
 IDENTIFICATION CARDS
 JEWELRY
 KEYS
 MAP
 MARKING PEN
 MEDICINE OR MEDICAL SUPPLIES
 MONEY ORDERS IN EXCESS OF $100.00 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
 MONEY ORDERS NOT PROPERLY FILLED IN OR ALTERED MONEY ORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
 NAIL FILE OR CLIPPERS
 NEWSPAPERS
 PAINT, BRUSHES OR SOLVENTS
 PAPERBACK BOOKS, MAGAZINES, ARE LIMITED TO 3 PER MAILING
 PENCILS, PEN OR SHARPENER
 PICTURES SHOWING WEAPONS, MONEY OR GANG SIGN
 PLAYING CARDS OR PUZZLES
 PLASTIC SENTIMENT, MUSICAL CARDS OF VERY LARGE CARDS
 POLAROID INSTANT PICTURES WITH DOUBLE BACKING
 POSTAGE STAMPS
 POSTERS
 RADIOS, TAPE PLAYER OR TELEVISION SETS
 ROLLERS, BOBBIE PINS, CLIPS OR PLASTIC CAPS
 STICKERS, DECALS OR PATCHES
 TOWELS
 TWINE, WIRE OR OTHER BINDING MATERIAL
 INMATES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CORRESPOND WITH OTHER INMATES OF OTHER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM BOTH WARDENS
This list will be used as a guideline and does not limit a staff member’s authority to confiscate any item which could be considered a threat to the security or safety of the institution.
Additionally, the Cook County Department of Corrections reserves the right to prohibit any other items that could be considered contraband or which could threaten the safety and security of the institution, its employees or its visitors.
Repeated attempts to send an inmate unauthorized items may constitute disciplinary action against the inmate, and may cause the matter to be referred to the Cook County State’s Attorney for possible Criminal Charging of the sender and / or the inmate involved.

What is the address to send mail to an inmate?
The mailing address for sending letters to detainees is:
P.O. Box 089002
Chicago, Illinois 60608

Be sure to include with the address the detainees name and I.D. number (also known as booking number).
(I.D. numbers can be retrieved from our automated system 773-674-5245 or click here).
What items CANNOT be mailed to an inmate?
Click here to view the list of items that cannot be mailed to an inmate
Some of these items will be made available to the inmate through commissary.

How do I wire an inmate funds for Commissary?
You can wire money to an inmate using WESTERN UNION, Money Gram or via www.accesscorrections.com.
You personally deposit inmate funds 24 hours a day at the automated kiosk found in the lobby of Division 5 at 2700 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608.
For other inquiries related to the jail, you can call the customer service line at 773-674-1945 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 7 days a week.

Inmate Trust Account
Contacting the Trust and Finance Offices
For Family and Friends who wish to obtain information on how to add money to a detainee’s Inmate Trust Fund account or to inquire about monies you have sent to a detainee, please contact:
Trust Office: 773-674-6864
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If you are a former detainee, or currently on Electronic Monitoring, and would like to collect your funds:
Finance Office: 773-674-6860
Hours 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Commissary
Each inmate at the Cook County Department of Corrections has an Inmate Trust Fund account, which allows an inmate to receive funds to use in on commissary, among other items.
Each week, an inmate can purchase up to $100 worth of clothing and supplies and $100 worth of food items.
Commissary offers:
• Clothing
• Stamped envelopes
• Toiletries
• Phone cards
• Food items (supplementary to the meals provided)
Adding money to a detainee’s trust fund account (books)
You can add money to a detainee’s books by
• Online or Telephone deposits
• Currency Exchange facilities
• Cash Pay Today locations
• United States Postal Service
• Jail’s lobby kiosks
• Collecting or Forwarding Funds
• Online and Telephone Deposits
• Currency Exchange Facilities
• United States Postal Service
• Jail's Lobby Kiosks

Inmate Services
Inmate Services is made up of Correctional Rehabilitation Workers (CRW’s) who serve as the human service liaisons to the detainees assisting them with needs as it relates to their confinement as well as ongoing needs they may have within the community. The CRW’s serve as a bridge to the detainee’s families and loved ones assisting with property, legal documentation, etc. CRW’s process all detainee requests and grievances, pertaining to their needs and any challenges they may have while in our custody.

The Law and Public Librarians also serve within Inmate Services. They assist detainees with legal research as it relates to their cases and with finding books they wish to read for literacy advancement, general interest, inspiration or leisure.
Educational
The Chicago Board of Education offers high school classes to detainees ages 17-21 through their onsite facility, Consuela B. York Alternative High School.
The PACE Institute is another onsite organization that offers Adult Basic Education and General Education Diploma (GED) preparation.
Literary Services
• Book Club
• ConTextos
ConTextos is “An intensive writing program that incorporates peaceful conflict resolution and trauma-informed practices to develop pro-social behaviors” and therapeutic interventions.
College Courses
DePaul University is currently offering 3-hour college course credits to detainees by providing classroom instruction onsite at CCDOC. The Inside Out Model utilized by DePaul University’s Irwin W. Steans Center for Community-Based Service Learning & Community Service Studies allows individuals in custody to study in a classroom alongside non-incarcerated DePaul University students.
Enrichment Programs
Yoga
The practice of yoga imparts skills which increase participants’ sense of self-awareness, personal responsibility, and problem-solving abilities. The increased capacity for mindfulness fostered by yoga is a benefit to participants during their time in custody, and continues to serve them after their return to the community. The majority of yoga instruction at CCDOC is trauma-informed, taking the specific needs of this population into account.
Chess
Established in 2012, the chess program is believed to be the first of its kind nationally. Detainees are given weekly chess lessons and participate regularly in chess tournaments. More recently, players were challenged to compete online; they participated in three international online chess matches. Detainees learn to apply critical thinking skills, patience, impulse control, and positive pro-social interactions. Individuals must demonstrate good behavior during their time in CCDOC custody in order to be considered for acceptance into the program. The program is available to inmates throughout the entire jail, and is facilitated by CCDOC programming staff and volunteers.
Recipe for Change
Recipe for Change was founded by Italian Chef Bruno Abate. Five days a week, detainees are immersed in culinary skills training in a state-of-the-art industrial-grade kitchen.
The students are not only taught food preparation and recipes, but also receive instruction on nutrition, safety and sanitation and proper serving etiquette.
Participants who complete the program gain knowledge in the following skills:
• Culinary arts
• Food sanitation
• Artistic painting