Will County Adult Detention Facility

You can support your loved ones at Will Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 815-727-7950.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Will Co Jail is a detention center located at 95 S Chicago St Joliet, IL which is operated locally by the Will County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Will County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Joliet Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals. You can see all the arrest records for Illinois here.

The Will County Adult Detention Facility is committed to the safe and humane detention of individuals awaiting trial or serving criminal sentences of up to one year. Opened in March 1989 and expanded in May 2009 with a $70 million investment, the facility underwent significant enlargement from its original 156,000 square feet to 318,000 square feet. The expansion included ten new housing units, increasing the facility’s capacity from 322 to over 1,000 inmates. Located in downtown Joliet, Illinois, the facility is designed with a "podular" architectural style, which clusters inmate cells around a common day room, exercise area, and visitation room. This design supports the facility's direct supervision philosophy, where staff closely monitor inmates in the day room of each housing pod, facilitating unobstructed interaction and supervision.

The direct supervision model, akin to a "policeman walking a beat," allows staff to manage pod activities, model positive behavior, and enforce facility rules. Positive behavior is rewarded with privileges such as access to outdoor exercise, television, and dayroom time, while negative behavior may result in consequences ranging from temporary lockdowns and limited access to activities to segregation with minimal out-of-cell time.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

While the Will County Adult Detention Facility focuses on detention rather than correctional services, it promotes inmate participation in programs designed to prevent re-incarceration. The Center for Correctional Concerns (CCC), a non-profit organization established in 1979, provides social service and educational programs funded through various sources, including the United Way. The Social Service Department offers information, counseling, advocacy, and assistance, including contacting public defenders and other agencies on behalf of inmates. Additionally, CCC manages a recreational library and other program-related services.

Educational opportunities are also available through CCC, including an expanded GED program that has seen over 1,800 inmates earn their high school equivalency diplomas since its inception. The facility further offers literacy training for non-readers, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and enrichment classes, all aimed at improving inmates' prospects for successful reintegration upon release.