Stateville Closure - Keep the Muslim Community Together, Move them to Sheridan
Ms. Latoya Hughes, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Corrections; Ms. Bria Scudder, Deputy Governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment, and Energy
Earlier this summer, Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, announced his plan to close and rebuild 2 prisons including Stateville Correctional Center (SCC).
The closure of SCC means the ultimate separation of the Muslim community at Stateville, one that has been growing for over 10 years.
In the past 5 years, the community at SCC has grown tremendously. There is no community within the IDOC network that has accomplished what has been accomplished at SCC. Members of the community have graduated from multiple classes such as: Islamic Studies 1 and 2, 2 classes on the impact of trauma on faith, 2 Arabic classes, Tafseer (Qur'anic commentary), and Ablution and prayers.
This past year, Muslims in the Chicagoland area had the honor of joining the Stateville Muslim community in their Jummah programming and prayer. This weekly programming has shown the importance of bridging the gap between the Muslim community on the outside and the Muslim community on the inside. Through this, we have seen the strength, resilience, and brotherhood within the SCC Muslim community. And many of us can attest to why it is imperative that this community stay together.
Community holds great importance in our faith. And the Stateville Muslim community, a growing one, is a testament to the importance of intergenerational work and community. Let us work together to ensure this community is not separated.
"The Muslim community at Stateville is a testament to the resilience that a person can build when surrounded by a community of accepting, kind, and motivated individuals who are dedicated to a path of healing through education. The brothers I have met at statesville consistently pour so much time, energy, and effort into learning about their religion, Islam, and teaching each other how to lead a life of faith.
Note: This petition letter was partially written by the brothers themselves.
Petition by
To:
Ms. Latoya Hughes, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Corrections; Ms. Bria Scudder, Deputy Governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment, and Energy
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Ms. Hughes and Ms. Scudder,
We are writing in support of the Muslim community at Stateville Correctional Center and ask that you keep the community together once Stateville closes. We ask that you transfer the Muslim Community to Sheridan Correctional Center.
In the past 5 years, the community at SCC has grown tremendously. There is no community within the IDOC network that has accomplished what has been accomplished at SCC. Members of the community have graduated from multiple classes such as: Islamic Studies 1 and 2, 2 classes on the impact of trauma on faith, 2 Arabic classes, Tafseer (Qur'anic commentary), and Ablution and prayers.
Currently, the Muslim community have the following classes pending: 2 ablution and prayer classes, 2 Islamic revival classes, 2 Arabic classes, 2 trauma classes, and a Tafseer ( Qur'anic commentary) class. Furthermore, the community has published 5 booklets which are utilized across the United States.
Considering the impact that the Muslim community at SCC has had on the institution and on the larger community, we believe you should ensure that the Muslim community at SCC is transferred together to the same institution once Stateville closes.
Thank you for your time and consideration.