Letters from the Inside - Gallery

Formal complaint against IDHS-TDF and Liberty Healthcare staff.
Greg describes being moved out of their cell and unit without explanation and placed in units with cellmates that Greg felt to be unsafe.

Matt describes experiencing medical neglect, being served known food allergens, and a lack of access to outdoors, as well as witnessing staff verbally abuse other residents.

Letter explains how cash vs the "points" system works in Rushville. Included are order forms for clothing, toiletries, food and other small items.

Additional answers to the civil commitment working group's survey. Describes Rushville as an environment where staff are negligent, residents are encouraged to lie during treatment and opportunities for growth are extremely limited.

Carlos writes that civil commitment wasn't part of his plea deal. He feels that the only way out "is in a body bag."

Advocating for a person inside Rushville, Tom expresses belief that the civil commitment system, including the courts and parole, is designed to keep people detained indefinitely.

Michael requests extra surveys and to be updated on the civil commitment working group's efforts.

Michael requests assistance filing a case against staff members for abuse and assault.

Letter explains that civilly committed persons exist in a "limbo" state between civil and criminal detainment. Michael believes state officials lack training to adequately evaluate residents. Article covers move from Joliet to Rushville in 2006, noting public support for the facility due to job creation.

Letter describes experiences with staff abuse, homophobia and poor mental health care within Rushville.

Letter in which Kirk explains how he can help distribute and collect the civil commitment working group's survey.

Kirk introduces himself and his connections to Black and Pink since 2007 along with connections to the greater incarcerated LGBTQ community.

Request for assistance in paying tuition for remaining ministry courses.

Kirk writes that the residents of Rushville are still excited about the survey, but that he wants an update because he had gotten mixed information about its status.

Kirk writes that the residents of Rushville are very excited about the civil commitment working group's survey and eager to submit responses.

Letter calls for total restructure of civil commitment, citing the disproportionate LGBTQ population and extended incarceration times. Kirk describes his personal hardships including not being able to take care of his mother.

Kenneth asks questions of his pen pal and writes about listening to music. 2 poems are included titled "Lost Forever" and "Don't Let Me Bleed Out" as well as a song titled "Death's Knocking Down Your Door."

2 poems follow a letter about Kenneth's writing which includes plans for a movie script.

Included with this poem is a letter in which Kenneth describes his creative projects including a novel and songwriting.

Samantha shares rules about approved property for transgender ("gender dysphoric") residents and contrasts it with her experience of staff berating her and threatening to take her feminine clothes.

Request forms and correspondence documenting Samatha's struggles to be allowed to room with her spouse, Cynthia.

Anonymous letter regarding Rushville staff arrested for sex offences. Attached are articles about two such staff members, forms regarding a confiscated flash drive, and a hand drawn diagram of unsafe bunk bed conditions.

Anonymous letter describing mistreatment and indefinite sentencing with attached article and handwritten list of deceased residents between 2000 and 2019.

Anonymous letter describing mistreatment related to transgender identity with attached article about another incarcerated woman, Strawberry.

Gary explains that he and his husband, Dan, are not housed together and use the in house mailing system to communicate. He hopes that they can be in the same unit someday.

Gary writes about his relationship with his husband, Dan, and the challenges of maintaining this relationship inside Rushville.

In his letter, Kyle wonders where the #MeToo movement for men is.

Kyle writes that he feels civilly committed persons are diagnosed with mental disorders in order to keep them detained.

Paul requests getting on Black and Pink's mailing list and pen pal list.

Cynthia's account of another resident coming to her room and attempting assault. She requests damages from this resident and several staff members due to negligence.

Letters of recommendation for James which indicate the belief that he is rehabilitated. Also included are a resume and documents relating to James' entrepreneurial endeavors along with 2 pages from CURE-SORT Vol 27, Issue 1.

Request from Mike to send prize money to another resident.