Stateville Correctional Center

Jim Thomas

Stateville Correctional Center in Lockport, Illinois, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago, is the bestknown, most visible, and most violent prison in the state. During its 80-year history, it has housed such infamous criminals as Nathan Leopold, Richard Loeb, and Richard Speck, was the execution site of John Gacy, and has provided the backdrop for many movies scenes, including Weeds, Bad Boys , and Natural Born Killers . The imposing limestone Level 1 (or maximum security) facility takes up 26 walled acres in the middle of well-manicured grounds. Stateville's notoriety stretches beyond Illinois because of its unusual architectural design. “The Ville,” as prisoners call it, or “Statesville,” as outsiders tend to mispronounce it, is often confused with the much older but smaller Joliet maximumsecurity facility 5 miles away on the west side of the city of Joliet. Stateville also has a Level 7 (or minimum security) “honor farm” about 1 ...

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