Rick Harrington, Warden
Facility Data
Menard Correctional Center
Opened: March 1878
*Operational Capacity: 3,739
Maximum Security Adult Male
*Population Menard Correctional Center: 3,060
*Population Menard Medium Security Unit: 423
*Population Menard Reception & Classification Center: 91
*Total Current Population: 3,574
Average Age: 34
FY2010 Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $19,492.00
*As of 5/31/2012. Reflects bed space capacity analysis as outlined in the July 1, 2012 Quarterly Report to the Legislature.
Menard Correctional Center is the parent institution for Menard Medium Security Unit and Menard Reception and Classification Center.
Visiting Hours
IDOC Visitation Rules and Information
Visits have resumed. Facility can be accessed via Fern Valley Road off Route 3 North of Chester, IL.
Menard Correctional Center's Visiting Rules and Regulations
Visitors to any correctional facility will be required to produce photo identification and verification of date of birth. Please be sure to bring
2 forms of identification with you; these would include a current photo ID such as a driver’s license, a state ID card, government ID card, military ID/driver’s license, or acceptable documentation of non-U.S. citizenship including a current Passport, or Visa, documentation must contain the visitor’s date of birth. Expired forms of identification will not be accepted. Visitors will also be required to provide vehicle information and other pertinent data, such as government identification, official credentials, attorney registration, and or law student certification.
General Population Contact/Non-Contact Visits
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday
Visitors must be signed in by 2:00p.m.
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Visitors must be signed in by 4:00p.m.
Visitors are normally allowed a two (2) hour visit, unless extenuating circumstances exist as designated by the Warden or Duty Warden. The frequency and duration of visits may be limited in accordance with space and staff.
Contact Visits: Inmates not under visit restriction are allowed five (5) visits per month. Three (3) adult visitors may visit simultaneously. This number includes children three (3) years and older.
Non-Contact Visits: Level "E" inmates are allowed five (5) visits per month.
Orientation status inmates are not permitted visits with the exception of legal visits.
Segregation/Administrative Detention Non-Contact Visits
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily.
Visitors must be signed in by 12:00p.m. Visits are a maximum of one (1) hour.
Inmates not under visit restriction are allowed two (2) visits per month. Segregation inmates may only visit once per day. Two (2) adult visitors may visit simultaneously. This number includes children three (3) years and older. Each adult may accompany one (1) child less than three (3) years old.
Administrative Detention offenders shall be allowed no more than two (2) visits per month (excluding attorney and chaplain visits). All visits except attorney visits must be scheduled by the offender submitting a request in writing to the Assistant Warden of Operations office.
Infirmary Visits
If an offender’s condition allows, visitation will be done in the Visiting Room. In the case where a patient’s condition does not allow for visitation in the Visiting Room, a visit may be approved in the Infirmary. This must be preapproved by the Warden or Assistant Warden of Programs. Such visits will be one (1) hour or less in duration depending on the offender s condition and treatment program. No vending items are permitted.
Attorney/Clergy/Agency Visits
Legal visitors and government officials who request to visit an offender for the purpose of conducting business on behalf of the Department or other governmental agency shall be exempt from completing the Perspective Visitor’s Information form. Legal visitors and government officials shall be required to list only their names and business address on the Visitor Sign-In Log. Legal visitors and government officials shall be required to show photo identification including government identification, official credentials, attorney registration or law student certification. Legal Visits will be arranged through the Litigation Coordinator at least two days in advance. Attorneys, student lawyers, etc. need not be on the inmates visiting list.
Special Clergy visitation will be approved in advance through the A/W of Programs. The requesting clergy must provide proof of legitimacy prior to entering the facility. Bibles and Korans are allowed during Pastoral Counseling.
Government agencies must coordinate with the A/W Operations prior to visiting.
Facility Address
Business Mail:
711 Kaskaskia Street
P.O. Box 711
Menard, IL 62259
Inmate Mail:
Inmate Name & IDOC#
P.O. Box 1000
Menard, IL 62259
Phone: (618) 826-5071
Fax: (618) 826-1141
Facility Information
The mission of Menard Correctional Center is to confine adult male offenders in a safe, secure and humane manner; preserve and promote individual rights and responsibilities; and in turn, ensure ultimate protection of society. Inherent within this purpose is the offering of program activities for inmates housed within the institution. Inmates are afforded the opportunity to explore and participate in programs designated to assist them toward a successful reintegration into society. ˜It is essential that these functions be conducted within the realities of the security needs of a maximum-security correctional center.
Menard Correctional Center was established on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1878. The maximum-security facility changes in elevation over 200 feet and includes more than 2,600 acres with 41 acres enclosed by perimeter. The facility is comprised of 155 buildings totaling 1,294,000 square feet. Menard is the state’s largest maximum security adult male facility. The center consists of five housing units, a receiving and orientation unit, segregation unit and a health care unit. Also included is the Menard medium-security unit.
Click here for information about Menard Correctional Center's sustainability efforts.
Inmate Programs
Academic:
- ABE (Adult Basic Education)
- GED (General Education Development)
- Special Education Services
- Job Preparedness and Correspondence Classes
Vocational:
Industries:
- Meat Processing
- Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies
- Knit and Sewing
- Waste Removal and Recycling
Volunteer Services:
Other:
- Anger Management
- Chaplaincy
- Community Work Crews
- Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program
- Leisure Time Activity
- Library
- Life Skills
- Sex Offender Program
- Substance Abuse
- Health Care Services