I spent 18 months there, fighting a couple cases when I was 17. I was there '92-'93. I grew up real fast in that place! The gaurds are violent and corrupt as fk, the food was horrible, inmates fight everyday, the place is filthy, people be stankin, people get beat up and robbed, people walking round w pumpkin heads for violating some gang/jail rules. I did learn some weird shit like how to make tattoo ink and heat up bologna and cheese sandwiches on the light bulb with a milk carton. Or griddle them on a steel mirror. Became a good gambler. Riots at least once every couple weeks. The early '90's in Chicago was worse than today and the jail was a reflection of that. All the Chicago gangs were at war and the jail was barley any different. Back then there was a guy that stuck a q-tip up your dong and I remember thinking to myself what a horrible job that was. Dude saw at least 50 a day. 😂 Anyway, the place ain't no joke and I haven't been back since. I'm now 48 and have been in the homeless services field for 23 years. I learned a lot and saw a lot of messed up stuff and people at cook county jail. In a strange way- it led me to a decent career.
Been there 8 times I haven't been back in 9 years, and I missed the dick Dr. For a jail built to hold 10,000 inmates he saw way more than 50 I'd say between 300 and 500.
In the past I’ve gotten in a lot of trouble in Chicago. I’ve been in Division 11,10,9,8,5,2 and 1 been in Stateville and Joliet, Danville, Pickneyville That’s all in the past. I’ve seen it ALLLL in Chicago…. And I thank God to be alive healthy and well frfr blessed 🙏🏽
What years were u in Danville, Pinckneyville & Stateville? We might’ve crossed paths. Was In Stateville 2011-2012 for almost a year, started on the farm and then ended up behind the wall for another little more than 3 months(seg and then population while waiting to be transferred to another facility. From there I went to Danville 2012-2013. Then on another bit spent part of it in Pinckneyville, about a year and a half from 2015-2016
I'm from lake county and got caught up in something at a party down in cook county. Skipped my court date and did 3 months there in '95. Never got in trouble in cook county again.
My grand pappy helped build that place (he worked on the "onion room") I went there last week and told the receptionist I wanted a tour but she said I was only allowed in if I had someone to visit. Times sure have changed and I still wounder if the horrors of the onion rooms go on to this day
The current cook county sheriff tom dart had the building that housed john wayne gacy torn down then had historical division 1 that held al capone, richard speck (nurse killer), larry hoover, jeff fort, other high profile inmates and death row torn down. Apparently tom dart is not a fan of history. Would've been great to keep division 1 as a museum.
Something could of been done with that building! It had so much history and could of been utilized better. You could of had it as a museum, something for tourist, or something for Halloween. I’ve been at the jail for a good amount of time and the older guys always say it was haunted 😂
Wow!! He tore down those buildings?? I haven't been able to come home in the past 23 yearz, because in New Jack City, you need an Apartment, and after 23 yearz, I just got one!!
Don't forget Juan Luna and James degorski from the browns chicken massacre I was in div 1 in 06 right before they transformed 1 to 11 medium to max. 11 was super max aka white house and 1 was medium but by 1 being the original supermax they switched it back over . Because guys were popping their doors in 11 sending the deck up and you can't pop yo lock in 1 and if you do you don't have much room to fight.. the day room in 1 in the size of my kitchen
Thanks for showing us this I lived up in Chicago for 11yrs and thank God that I never had to do no time in that jail but I used to take my ex-wife family members there to visit their family members for sure and that place is huge for sure.
Chicago is thee toughest place in the whole nation New York LA ain't got nothing on the windy city Even FBI and other policing organizations say the same thing Without a doubt you gotta be one tough motherfucker to love there and to go to jail there you have to be even tougher
If you end up creating a video on the Collins st prison in Joliet, I would also suggest making a video about Illinois' first federal penitentiary located in historic Alton, IL. I grew up in Joliet, but never knew the connection between Collins street prison and the Alton federal penitentiary. There is a lot of history these two prisons share in common, and I had the chance to learn about it after living in Alton IL on right behind where the Alton penitentiary used to sit. The history of both of these prisons are just incredibly fascinating as well as the history of Alton IL in general. One of the craziest facts I learned about the Alton penitentiary, was that after it's closure around the time of the civil war the Union started to use it for a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers, but also that many of the soldiers and previous inmates that eventually died whole there had their bodies thrown into the Mississippi River and for many years and as recent as the 1970s there was the occasional body from this time that washed up on shore.
As a young adult, i remember getting lock up unjustly. It was and still is the worse experience of my life. I've never felt so disgusted and violated of my privacy.. Not everyone locked inside is a criminal, and not every free roaming personal is good people.
I ended up in there with a 100-dollar bail in 1995. I spent a whole week in there. At the time my life was different my mom was on drugs and my So-called boys gave her the 100 bucks to bail me out. She went and bought drugs and left me in there for a whole week, to make matters worse I had a 1 o'clock court hearing at 11th and state so they're supposed to wake you at about 4 in the morning to take you to court, well they messed up and took us after lunch about 11am. A Sargant walks pass and ask me and the guy sitting there where do we think we're going; we tell her to court she tells us we missed the bus, and our court dates were rescheduled for next week. I said F that I called my guy Aunt and sold her me brand new T.V VCR combo for 100 bucks lmao and got my ass out of there. I only went back once for a traffic ticket, and it was for 1 day and I haven't been back since. As a matter of fact, I moved out of Chicago in 2017 so peace Thanks for the reminder of why I don't commit crimes.
Big jails don't have a monopoly on poor treatment. My cousin worked at a county jail in a small town in New Mexico. Called the worst jail in America (aren't they all). They had one guy arrested for a DUI and they forgot to process his paperwork. He sat there for a year. He kept asking for a lawyer and a dentist as his teeth were bothering him. He ended up pulling out one of teeth with his fingers. He finally got someone on the outside to get hold of the Public Defender and got him out. He ended up a millionaire. My cousin was a school teacher there, trying to teach the younger, below 18 inmates. She said she never felt safe and some the kids told her they were there just waiting until they turned 18 and went to prison.
@@zephyer-gp1ju that's great that he got the money that he deserved but I know that it played on his mind psychological and that happened to my uncle he stayed in the county jail 6 months longer than he was supposed to
Back in 1996 I did a year in division 1 (which was maximum security at the time ) for armed robbery....Back then, everyday it was tension in the air between the gangs and you never knew what was gon' happen cause you figure everybody had shanks and was gang banging...It was a hell of an experience and I'm thinking about writing a book about all the sh!t that was going on and what I went through....but anyway I ended up getting 6 years in prison, did 2 years straight, got out and never went back👍👍
That train rail is not abandoned. They actually just reconstructed it. That's right by the boat launch. Where u can enter on western, Park your car, and ride your boat down the canal, toward downtown, or the opposite way.. it's pretty cool to have it so close to my house. It is fascinating❤
I've lived in the Chicago area my whole life. I'm 69 . I grew up in Chicago but as I got older I lived in the different suburbs . I love where I live , but I've never seen the jail. This is fascinating, Thank you.
I’ve been in cook county jail Several times Last time was 2000 I’ve been in Joliet , statesvile As well , last time in prison ( for me ) was 2001 - I finally grew out of gang banging & participating in illegal activities- basically, I grew the Fuk up !!!! I’m 50yrs old This yr makes 14 yrs clean and sober (100% clean and sober) My life (today) is nothing like it use to be back when I thought Banging & going to Jail & prison was normal!! Division 2 , 5, 6, 9,10,11 Been there &. It sucked Jail isn’t cool Gang banging is a fool’s errand!!
I remember spending 24 hours at cook county jail and walking into my holding cell was blood all over the steel bed, shit was tough to sleep through the night
I spent a descent amount of time in cook county jail, I was arrested for aggravated fleeing and alluding, and reckless endangerment. I was given intake into division 8 where I stayed for a few weeks, this is the better part of the jail being so new. Then was moved to division 2 dorms. This was also better than most, however upon staff learning of my prior prison sentence was moved to division 1, which is a decrepit, depressing place. I was then moved to division 6 by mistake where than I stayed most of my time in division 10, maximum security. I only received one hour a day out of my cell, that was if the co felt up to it mind you. It is very isolating very crowded and very dirty. You would regularly see rats and cockroaches. I was eventually transferred to Statesville penitentiary. But will never forget my time in cook county as being very unforgiving.
Not proud of my prior life as a youth but I have been in cook county jail 5 times prior to being 30 years old and have been in div 1, 2 which is dorms for non violent crimes ,5,6 &11 &even then boot camp which is a part of the jail also you didn’t show (I think that’s what u said was the horse training you might have that confused )the last time being 2013 I was in division 5 then which closed while I was there due to mold and conditions for inmates which were bad ,@ that time they sent most of us to div 11 or div 1 which is where I went and it wasn’t as bad as the other decks actually even though the cells were half the size , only room for 2 bunks and a toilet no room to walk a sliding old mechanical door a car walk with bars that move would run free , and a smallllllll day room , the basement where electric chair was is a long all with rooms they use for offices and we had our Rec our yard in a big room downstairs in basement also a dungeon like place really , but it is a dangerous jail if you don’t know how 2 carry yourself 💯not the place to be!to my prior self going back that many times for any crime u r insane I have had not police contact since my release in 2016 !!I VOW TO ALWAYS BE A BETTER MAN&MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS IN LIFE TO BE SUCCESSFUL&THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN BE FOR MY KIDS AND OTHERS !WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE !BLESS ANYONE &EVERYONE !!
Cook County is so over crowded, we house inmates for them all the way down here at are jail here in Mercer County, IL which is about 3 hours away from Chicago. I guess it helps support are little jail but makes you go wow at the same time...
13:28 That "Decrepid horse training arena" is known to us Little Village residents as "Plaza Garibaldi" and is a very famous local concert and event venue, holding many famous Mexican and Latino singers and artists performing there over the years. And the arena itself was once a "Plaza de Toros" bullfighting arena where bullfighting events were once held, but has since fallen into disuse due to the declining interest in the sport.
I've been to Cook County jail 4 times as a professional armed security guard they always put me in the cells with the worst of the worst murderers I even was in a cell with the 1st man in Illinois history to be charged with human trafficking 2 brothers that were identical twins .2013. I beat my case.... You would think that a security guard just walking down the street with his gun on his way to work getting locked up would not be held with the worst of the worst
@@richardstonyisland9719 it’s just confusing because you said you were there as a guard. Not that you were incarcerated there, beat your cases, and went on to be a security guard. Good for you though. I’m good now too but I was there on two occasions a little over a decade ago as an inmate. We beat the 80% recidivism rate yay.
You can now tour the prison in Joliet. They have concerts on the lawn inside. Its not fully renovated, but they are working on it. It is a limestone marvel.
I would like to see a video about the facility of Joliet. More, though, I'd like to see a video about the history AND current state of corruption in the Illinois Department of Corrections. My relative was a Captain in the system but was consistently overlooked for promotion because of corruption, i.e. he wouldn't contribute to anyone's re-election campaign. He was even denied a position at the Kewanee facility when it opened, even though he was more than qualified. Why? Because some organization promised politicians that if they would give jobs to "certain people", everyone in that organization would vote for those politicians. The deal they struck kept my relative from being transferred and promoted. They don't run a system based on merit and hard work. The best jobs go to the highest bidder. You can believe me or not as you like, but I've lived the heartache of my family watching all of this happening. Even now, though my relative has retired, just thinking about this makes me furious!
Welcome to Chicago. The old joke about two men meeting at a funeral in Chicago. One asks the other, "How did you know him?" "He worked for me for 20 years at city hall. I came to his funeral to see what he looked like."
@@ITSHISTORY I look forward to you doing them both. I do have a suggestion for you. Do a video on boss Pendergast the head of the crime syndicate in Kansas City in the early part of the last century. JJ Floyd, Harry S Truman, and boss Pendergast used to go to Henrietta, Missouri to do their back room deals, and go fishing and duckhunting. I stayed in Harry Truman’s bedroom at JJ Floyd’s hunting lodge for two weeks in Henrietta back in 2011. My friend that owned the house has sense sold it. The trio would take a boat and gamble on the way to Henrietta. Boss Pendergast did not know what to do with Truman. As county judge, he oversaw construction of roads. Boss Pendergast was one of the bidders. He was sure the Truman would approve his cement company to do the project. But, Truman was having nothing of it. He showed no favoritism. He selected the lowest bidder. Truman was known to be very stubborn. It makes sense. My Grandaddy is from the same area of the state and is stubborn as a mule. Unfortunately, I have inherited that trait.
I used 2 deliver toilet paper there. Lived my whole life in da City n that was da closest I ever been 2 sears tower at da time. Whole time my license was suspended n I had a felony warrant n was on da run. I was so nervous 1st time b4 I pulled out of da MCC
A video about the Joliet prison will be interesting. I also would be interested in a video about the Tinley Park Mental Health Center that closed 2012.
I was there for about a year. I came out unscathed except for one fight. Others that I saw weren't so lucky. I saw the aftermath of a rape victim and two people get stabbed, one them dying. But I think the worst thing I saw was the first day I was there. I was in receiving and the COs had an extremely mentally ill young man shackled to a big cart, like one of those carts you see at home depot for wood. Anyway, they wheeled this young man through there while them and other inmates made fun of him and spit on him. I thought, this is the most horrible thing I've ever seen. People can be so cruel. I mean the guy didn't even know what was happening. I still think about that moment today.
If you are looking for material for jail abuses, I am currently trying to gather support for my case against Tri-County Jail in Ohio where I was not given my medications that I needed to survive three times and they tried keeping it wrapped up. For instance, my medical file is now missing. I about died seizing off of a tier and was trapped in a cell under suicide watch with them lying to an outside hospital twice telling the hospital that they indeed gave me my medications when they had not. They had me in the restraint chair because I lost my mind withdrawling off of 6 different medications on top of not having those crucial to live. I ended up seizing in the chair while all of them watched and did nothing, some of the guards kept whispering to just let me die while I am banging on the glass for my anemia meds and my thyroid meds(80% of my thyroid is gone due to an autoimmune condition) at the very least. It isn't right, jails are literally killing people right now and it needs to stop! If you have health issues, it becomes a worse torture than anybody could imagine. Anyways, super interesting video!
@@THAPOKEPINBALLER Thyroid meds buddy, my Levothyroxine(Missing 80%+ my thyroid) along with my Iron for anemia, Vitamin D, Subutex, Gabapentin, Baclofen, Zofran, Caplyta, Krill oil(For crazy palpitations)... so don't give excuses for them and I've had 3 different TBI's which I just got medical documentation back for and when you WD off multiple meds in jail while getting a head injury, turns out that scrambles your brain even more. I'm sick and tired of people giving reasons why these jails do this crap, it's population control.
@@jschulte3 I went there voluntarily, I could've just as easily put myself into a detox but I didn't trust myself enough at the time. I wanted to better my life, so yes if that's what it takes I will. My life is mine, thankfully it isn't yours. I'm sure you know all about fighting to change this bullcrap, you give some spiritually lifting with such an intelligent answer.
About 6 of us were taken there on some, "scared straight," BS. Horrible conditions, I'll never forget the stale smell of urine & feces. The guards were overly aggressive. I was going through, "intake," for 30 hours before anyone, job, gf, parents, etc had any idea where I was. After releasing, we were strapped with ankle monitors, shackled in a van and driven home. It was only 6 of us, yet I took 5 hours to drop everyone to their respective locations. During this trip, the guards stopped for fast food, mind you we hadn't eaten in almost a day. Chit chatted with locals, legitimately took their times. (probably their entire work shift) I was a complete clusterf***. This was 20yrs ago, and I saw so many failures in the system. Clogged toilets, cold, stale food. They locked 6 teenagers up for smoking a joint next to murderers and gang bangers. First thing you're asked upon getting into holding area, "what you in for...." upon hearing we were busted for smoking weed, it was a boisterous laughter. 🤦🏿♂️ Now that cannabis is legal in Illinois I look back at the entire situation as a miscarriage of justice and total abuse of power. When I told my kids all these years later, they don't even believe me. 😂😂😂 I guess that's a good thing. #ReformCookCountyJail
I feel you.. it's very depressing how their lack of judgement can personally put your life at risk... I heard of some innocent being put in sector 10 and getting beat almost to death or getting lock up for longer for defending themselves from not being killed on site.
DIV. 1 - closed and leveled. That building no longer stands. DIV. 2 - inmate capacity was approximately 1,600. DIV. 4 - used for video court (as opposed to in person appearances). DIV. 5 - you forgot to mention this (general population). DIV. 6 - accurate. Cermak - on-site hospital facilities. RTU/DIV.8 - accurate. DIV. 9 - accurate. DIV. 10 - accurate. DIV. 12 - I believe you meant DIV. 11, there is no DIV. 12. Receiving - mostly accurate. Horse training facility - this is actually independent from the Sheriff and is an active rodeo during the warmer weather.
Thank you for sharing this, the reference map I used for this may have been out of date - but it couldn’t have been by much. Do you have a different source we can see?
@IT'S HISTORY seeing that Division 1 was recently demolished, it may not be updated on any maps (i.e. Google maps). There was a news report on WGN channel 9 news about Division 1.
Ive been arrested once on a warrant that wasn't actually perpetrated by me. My friend's brother used my name to try to get out of being arrested for solicitation. Because my name was squeaky clean he gave the officer's my name. The officers in the suburbs back then couldn't pull up the face on your license. Only your basic info. He didn’t know my birthday, social or address and they still booked him under my name. Cops pulled me over for non-appearance for a court date because of course he wouldn't show up. I was booked at the station on 111th and sent to Cook County. This was in 2005, it was a horrible experience. Thank God I was bailed out literally MINUTES before we all had to line up and get naked and put on the jump suit but I did go through the Dick Doctor process there was a class action lawsuit for. I was 21 and terrified. The charges were dropped once I saw the judge and they pulled up his mugshot and looked at me. But Cook County jail back then was horrific and I was only in there for about 12 hours during the intake period.
I've been there for a few things in my youth. Was in minimum twice where I worked in the food service section making trays for the rest of the jail. The food is nasty and should not be fed to animals let alone people. The other time was medium security for failing a drug test while on probation for a traffic issue. It was eye opening and the worst part of it was the upper raspatory infection that I got each time I was there. The place is a cesspool of germs and the rodents and roaches are huge. I didn't see much violence except for a guard beating another inmate who spit at him. Glad I changed my life around and never had to visit that place again.
@@zephyer-gp1ju They deliver trays to each block. When I was in the minimum, it was a dormitory and they had a cafeteria. When in medium or higher, you eat in the common area where you also watch TV, play cards, BS with others. In that area you have a cell with at least one other cell mate and metal beds with foam cushions as beds and are locked down at night and let out for the day to the common area during the day.
I spent nearly 22 hours in CCJ On 12/23/22 on a misdemeanor assault charge which I eventually won my case all charges were dropped a month later in court..those 22 hours in CCJ gave me a new perspective and as crazy as this sounds my ordeal there has taught me that arguing and cussing with anyone can lead to a charge against you and YOU DONT WANNA SPEND NAAN SECOND THERE.
Damm that's good you told me that I am a hot temper guy and I am also handicap now and alot older also but I am glad that you told me that because my ex-wife family members were locked up in there,and they told me them horrible stories about what goes on in there and now I lived in Atlanta Georgia and there prison system is F UP FOR SURE AND THAT'S WHY I TRY TO STAY CHILL ESPECIALLY I GOT TWO BEARS GRANDDAUGHTERS 2YRS AND 3YRS OLD UP IN MORRISTOWN TENNESSEE.
@@thomasholt63 yessir Mr.Holt stay calm n collected..my ordeal started when my 22 year old daughter (youngest of 5) was mouthing off to me one morning so at first i waa just ignoring her aa best i could then it escalated harsh words were spoken by both of us then she took my phone and charger out of the wall socket she then went into her room i got up to get it and she swung the cord at me striking me across my shoulder area and as i grabbed for the cord with both hands i guess one of my fingers scratched her eye because she left for an hour i assumed she had went to work but an hour or so later the local police came 4 deep and took me out of my home with pajama pants on and a tee shirt and socks (12-22-22) the officers showed me a picture of her with a scratch underneath her left eye..i don't know how the scratch got there but took her story as gospel..i was charged and arrested..i argued that ITS MY HOME AND SHE WAS DISTURBING THE PEACE BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND ATTACKED ME WITH A PHONE CHARGER CORD I WAS ACTING IN SELF DEFENSE. But they didn't wanna hear my story and because my baby girl had a scratch under her eye and had went and filed a report that was all the evidence the police needed..plus they put a gps on my ankle and i could not return to my home nor come within a one mile distance in all 4 directions until the case was settled which took nearly a full month..im still trying to catch up on my credit card payments because nearly a month in an extended stay at $75 a night got real expensive plus $2500 for a lawyer BROTHER STAY CALM THE DRAMA AINT WORTH IT..
Man bro I needed to hear that. I recently had issues with my son and my baby moms that got me very angry. Even now I wanna punch my son in the face cuz he was so disrespectful and this mf bigger than me so I look at him as physical threat. But I'm 44 and I'm too old for jail bro I don't have time for that I'm a just keep my distance and hope things change in time
The now defunct west branch of the chicago river ran through the middle of the jail area. You can see the outline on google maps and in the arrangement of the older buildings. It came through the part where there are shows still held with horses for the local Hispanic community. That’s county property but is used only by the local community. The abandoned tracks are from the multitude of long gone buildings that lined the old river bed and then to the south, the shipping canal.
i remembered I was there in 96 and we were boarding the bus from Cook County jail to go to court in Skokie, IL. The C.O. warned all the inmates not to eat any food on his brand new bus as he was passing out bag lunches which consisted of two bologna and cheese sandwiches, a cookie, koolaid in a plastic bag, and an orange. There was a white inmate who decided to sneak his orange on the bus and take it back to the jail with him. So we all talking while taking the long ride back to Cook Couny jail and all of the sudden, an orange hit the floor and roll down the aisle and hit the C.O.'s foot. He asked who orange was it, and no one didn't answer at first and then the white inmate said it was his. The C.O. said didn't I tell u not to bring no fkn food on my bus, and told him to stand on the side as he finnished calling off names on his clipboard. Once he finnished, he kept looking around making sure no other C.O. was watching him and then he cracked the inmate with the clipboard about 3 times in the face with the clipboard. I was shocked, I kept thinking that if it was me they would have to beat my ass, bc there was no way i would have let him get away with that.
I would love to see a video on the old Stateville in Joilet. I was born and raised there and until Stateville opened in the 50's?? I think and became Joliet Correctional Center until it's closing I always wondered what it looked like on the inside. It was known for the Roundhouse Unit and the huge steel doors that faced Collins St. I never saw even a peek at the inside until they opened those massive doors for the opening of the Blues Brothers. Now I'm far away from there in Western Iowa but I'm pretty sure it still stands, built from Joliet Flagstone. If they haven't torn it down it will stand forever. Never benign Jail and from what you said and showed, I'm truly glad my Dad put the fear in me at a young age. Great video!
Was in the county for a year division 9 before going to stateville. They used to stick the swab directly in the peephole for std testing. Very rough and work area was very dirty. A lawsuit forced them to stop.
26 and Cali... used to work a couple Mexican rodeos there in the field just east of the bldg on the southeast side of the intersection so 26th Place and S Rockwell. One time I saw a group of inmates from the bldg on the east side of that exercising with the guards watching. This was back between 2002 and 2008. That's what it was at least then at your 13:28 mark
When you haven’t seen a friend in awhile and you bump into him or her and you ask that question yo where you been @ and they answer I was in California bro they ain’t talking about the state… 26th and California😂😂😂
Memories, thanks for making this video. I had to bail out an ex from Cook County; waited close to 20 hours for him to walk out. You couldn’t leave because they would pick them back up for loitering but yet I was made to sit in the car, during winter. Used to drive past Statesville every day during my commute to college. First time I ever saw a body outline. Right under the shadow of those limestone walls as it was still being actively processed by the police.
Same. I lived there 25 years and only saw that place once or twice in passing (e.g. on the bus). And since no friends or family (that I cared about) were ever incarcerated there, it was easy to forget about that place.
I’ve been here back in 2009, I went through processing but never hit the deck 😅 process was from 8am until 2 am for me, when u get there they put you in a bullpen and they tell you your bond, then they mark your arms up with numbers and you move from bullpen to bullpen all day. It was July 4th so it was very hot and all we got was a juice and a bologna sandwich all day. Shit was crazy 😅😅😅
I've been in that crook county jail back in 95 me and my brother spent about year I waz in division 1 maximum security while by brother was in division 9 maximum our crimes were carjacking arm violence arm robbery we were both facing 25 yrs at the age of 17 💥😶🌫️we took our case to the judge itz waz a bench trial and beat the oddz thank God for keeping me in great spirits 🙏🇲🇽
In reference to legal matters, I concur with certain individuals who express concerns regarding Cook County. Specifically, when considering potential legal consequences, I find it tiresome to constantly encounter issues related to Chicago, Cook County, and the broader region. This situation has become increasingly frustrating and necessitates a comprehensive resolution.
I think the electric chair was in the basement of the 1929 building - shown at 10:14 - with this view I'm guessing the death chamber was on the upper right of the whole building, the small extension with skylights to the North of the tall admin portion. Death chambers are usually near the outer edge of a facility, making it easier for witnesses to attend, and the body to leave! Anyway, I'm not sure which building it was in. Anyone know? And BTW, if you Google "Mad Dog Morelli" you will be treated a photo of 19 year-old James Morelli meeting his maker in this chair in 1949.
💥💥 As someone who's been locked up before multiple multiple times I haven't been to jail since 2005. My advice is don't get locked up don't do stupid stuff then you won't have to worry about your rights being violated in jail.
So how about Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio? I've never personally been there. Came close. I was charged with a crime when it was still open bit ultimately got probation. I do have close friends whom have been there. It was a horrific place. I was fortunate that by the time I made it to state prison Ohio classified prisoners according to crime and criminal history and most inmates had no problems if they minded their own business and respected the other convicts. I'm sure you're aware the Shawshank Redemption was filmed there and concerts and ghost tours are held on the grounds. However, there's a rich history that dates back to when it was a Civil War prison. There. I wrote the video for you. You're welcome and thanks for the interesting content.
Good job on the video. I went from there to Joliet (which is where everyone goes for about a month while you get classified for a prison to be sent to). Then to Shawnee prison which is 22 hours a day in a 6x8 cell with another dude. No heat or air conditioning, etc. Locked up with animals who ain't never goin home so they got nothing to loose, know what I'm sayin? And the guards are more heinous than the inmates. Cook Country jail is like a nice kindergarten compared to prison. Once that "guilty" comes down, you are no longer a human being. Imagine going into a huge haunted house for Halloween but there's no exit, you're lost, nobody will listen to you and all you can do is try to survive to make it out some day years later, but you're not even sure if you ever will. Fun times.
I found myself in jail once. I ended up losing my glasses but slept the entire time. They basically had to drag me out of there I was so dead to the world.
This place is terrible. You never want to go here. I live about 45 minutes north of Chicago. I have been in county and McHenry County. McHenry county is where I’m from. I’ve only done small time in there though. Waiting for my bail. The longest I did was two weeks. Let me tell you it’s two weeks too long. Don’t commit crimes kids. Jail is not a fun place.
I was just recently incarcerated and just got home last month. I was in cook county jail figjing my case for 11 months and let me tell you, all your sins you committed are being paid for in the county. Those cold tunnels traveling between divisions is something ill never forget. And theres no sleeping let me tell you.
My senior year of high school in Kentucky we had a guy disappear on spring break. Turns out he was in this jail for selling Molly. We ran into him years later and he was totally different. We were like what happened. Let's just say it was like hell for him. Then literally the next day he kidnapped a girl and ended up committing suicide by cop. I had forgotten about it till this video. That was 20 years ago.
If you're arrested in Chicago you have till the morning NOT to go to the county jail. Chicago police have a lock up which depending on your crime you can I bond or bond from
I was in 6th grade when my school decided to do a field trip to the Cook County Jail. To this day driving pass Cook County puts my stomach in knots, I avoid that area period.
I was in cook co around 2009 on a probation warrant from Manitowoc county WI and awaiting on pts to come get me took 3 days to make it back to Manitowoc county jail
I've been an unfortunate guest of Cook County Jail and I would hardly call that place humane. How can they be humane when they see all inmates as less than human. Their mental health system is an absolute joke.. I witnessed so many horrible things that went on there and I'm damn sure it is still going on today.. When you are there your not treated like a human being, your treated like a caged animal.
That’s plaza Garibaldi 😂 where they have been having rodeos, concerts and festivals for many many years. The inmates can be seen from there watching, dancing and listening to the live music. My high school teacher back in the late 90s took our class to Cook county for a wonderful scared straight type experience.
If your society spends more on mental health and welfare in the community - it may not need to spend so much on jails - if an individual ends up in the jail - it’s the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff
I spent 18 months there, fighting a couple cases when I was 17. I was there '92-'93. I grew up real fast in that place! The gaurds are violent and corrupt as fk, the food was horrible, inmates fight everyday, the place is filthy, people be stankin, people get beat up and robbed, people walking round w pumpkin heads for violating some gang/jail rules. I did learn some weird shit like how to make tattoo ink and heat up bologna and cheese sandwiches on the light bulb with a milk carton. Or griddle them on a steel mirror. Became a good gambler. Riots at least once every couple weeks. The early '90's in Chicago was worse than today and the jail was a reflection of that. All the Chicago gangs were at war and the jail was barley any different. Back then there was a guy that stuck a q-tip up your dong and I remember thinking to myself what a horrible job that was. Dude saw at least 50 a day. 😂
Anyway, the place ain't no joke and I haven't been back since. I'm now 48 and have been in the homeless services field for 23 years. I learned a lot and saw a lot of messed up stuff and people at cook county jail. In a strange way- it led me to a decent career.
Been there 8 times I haven't been back in 9 years, and I missed the dick Dr. For a jail built to hold 10,000 inmates he saw way more than 50 I'd say between 300 and 500.
good for you; a success story; you go brother !!
Why did they stick a q-tip in your urethra? 😮
@@dannydaw59 😳
I’m very proud of you. It looks like you are a great success and can back it up. May God bless you and your family and your career!
In the past I’ve gotten in a lot of trouble in Chicago. I’ve been in Division 11,10,9,8,5,2 and 1 been in Stateville and Joliet, Danville, Pickneyville That’s all in the past. I’ve seen it ALLLL in Chicago…. And I thank God to be alive healthy and well frfr blessed 🙏🏽
What years were u in Danville, Pinckneyville & Stateville? We might’ve crossed paths. Was In Stateville 2011-2012 for almost a year, started on the farm and then ended up behind the wall for another little more than 3 months(seg and then population while waiting to be transferred to another facility. From there I went to Danville 2012-2013. Then on another bit spent part of it in Pinckneyville, about a year and a half from 2015-2016
Similar history here. Cook is and always has been mega effed up.
I grew up on the south side, spent a lot of time in that neighborhood. Even visited some friends locked up there. Heard nothing but horror stories.
True that
I'm from lake county and got caught up in something at a party down in cook county. Skipped my court date and did 3 months there in '95. Never got in trouble in cook county again.
My grand pappy helped build that place (he worked on the "onion room") I went there last week and told the receptionist I wanted a tour but she said I was only allowed in if I had someone to visit. Times sure have changed and I still wounder if the horrors of the onion rooms go on to this day
The current cook county sheriff tom dart had the building that housed john wayne gacy torn down then had historical division 1 that held al capone, richard speck (nurse killer), larry hoover, jeff fort, other high profile inmates and death row torn down. Apparently tom dart is not a fan of history. Would've been great to keep division 1 as a museum.
Something could of been done with that building! It had so much history and could of been utilized better. You could of had it as a museum, something for tourist, or something for Halloween. I’ve been at the jail for a good amount of time and the older guys always say it was haunted 😂
Wow!! He tore down those buildings?? I haven't been able to come home in the past 23 yearz, because in New Jack City,
you need an Apartment, and after 23 yearz, I just got one!!
Don't forget Juan Luna and James degorski from the browns chicken massacre I was in div 1 in 06 right before they transformed 1 to 11 medium to max. 11 was super max aka white house and 1 was medium but by 1 being the original supermax they switched it back over . Because guys were popping their doors in 11 sending the deck up and you can't pop yo lock in 1 and if you do you don't have much room to fight.. the day room in 1 in the size of my kitchen
We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!
Unfortunately, that was the Joliet jail, not Cook County.
@@jamesswidergal7875 I think they do refer to it as the Cook County jail a few times though (or maybe it implies they'd been to both).
Can we be best friends?
😂 Illinois nazis
@@jamesswidergal7875 They compare lockup cuisine in the soul food restaurant and Cook County was mentioned.
I've been incarcerated there twice and every horror story you hear about that place is true.
Thanks for showing us this I lived up in Chicago for 11yrs and thank God that I never had to do no time in that jail but I used to take my ex-wife family members there to visit their family members for sure and that place is huge for sure.
People in there 2years waiting for trial!!
Chicago is thee toughest place in the whole nation New York LA ain't got nothing on the windy city Even FBI and other policing organizations say the same thing Without a doubt you gotta be one tough motherfucker to love there and to go to jail there you have to be even tougher
If you end up creating a video on the Collins st prison in Joliet, I would also suggest making a video about Illinois' first federal penitentiary located in historic Alton, IL. I grew up in Joliet, but never knew the connection between Collins street prison and the Alton federal penitentiary. There is a lot of history these two prisons share in common, and I had the chance to learn about it after living in Alton IL on right behind where the Alton penitentiary used to sit. The history of both of these prisons are just incredibly fascinating as well as the history of Alton IL in general. One of the craziest facts I learned about the Alton penitentiary, was that after it's closure around the time of the civil war the Union started to use it for a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers, but also that many of the soldiers and previous inmates that eventually died whole there had their bodies thrown into the Mississippi River and for many years and as recent as the 1970s there was the occasional body from this time that washed up on shore.
Used to in the nineties buy newsprint for a paper in delcoI worked at .
The hole if u know
Or the tunnel
I was locked up on accident as aa 17 yr boy
Ohhhhh Joliet....can't forget about Joliet
As a young adult, i remember getting lock up unjustly. It was and still is the worse experience of my life. I've never felt so disgusted and violated of my privacy..
Not everyone locked inside is a criminal, and not every free roaming personal is good people.
Amen
Sure.
You were the exception though. Most of them are guilty AF. Sorry you had to go through that, if you were indeed innocent.
Get outta here, you know your ass did it.
J/k 🤪
Same here...... 💯💯💯💯 Horrible place period....
I ended up in there with a 100-dollar bail in 1995. I spent a whole week in there. At the time my life was different my mom was on drugs and my So-called boys gave her the 100 bucks to bail me out. She went and bought drugs and left me in there for a whole week, to make matters worse I had a 1 o'clock court hearing at 11th and state so they're supposed to wake you at about 4 in the morning to take you to court, well they messed up and took us after lunch about 11am. A Sargant walks pass and ask me and the guy sitting there where do we think we're going; we tell her to court she tells us we missed the bus, and our court dates were rescheduled for next week. I said F that I called my guy Aunt and sold her me brand new T.V VCR combo for 100 bucks lmao and got my ass out of there. I only went back once for a traffic ticket, and it was for 1 day and I haven't been back since. As a matter of fact, I moved out of Chicago in 2017 so peace Thanks for the reminder of why I don't commit crimes.
Big jails don't have a monopoly on poor treatment. My cousin worked at a county jail in a small town in New Mexico. Called the worst jail in America (aren't they all). They had one guy arrested for a DUI and they forgot to process his paperwork. He sat there for a year. He kept asking for a lawyer and a dentist as his teeth were bothering him. He ended up pulling out one of teeth with his fingers. He finally got someone on the outside to get hold of the Public Defender and got him out. He ended up a millionaire. My cousin was a school teacher there, trying to teach the younger, below 18 inmates. She said she never felt safe and some the kids told her they were there just waiting until they turned 18 and went to prison.
Outstanding story
@@zephyer-gp1ju that's great that he got the money that he deserved but I know that it played on his mind psychological and that happened to my uncle he stayed in the county jail 6 months longer than he was supposed to
How is your mom?🙏🏽
Heartbreaking
Back in 1996 I did a year in division 1 (which was maximum security at the time ) for armed robbery....Back then, everyday it was tension in the air between the gangs and you never knew what was gon' happen cause you figure everybody had shanks and was gang banging...It was a hell of an experience and I'm thinking about writing a book about all the sh!t that was going on and what I went through....but anyway I ended up getting 6 years in prison, did 2 years straight, got out and never went back👍👍
Perhaps you should change your name to lawful5930 🤷🏽♂️ Congrats 👊🏽
Was there fighting there when you were there, and lock downs.
@@petercole8798of course there was
@@malcomM96 how long are lock downs. Do you get sentence there too or just till trial.
You might want to consider changing your user name
That train rail is not abandoned. They actually just reconstructed it. That's right by the boat launch. Where u can enter on western, Park your car, and ride your boat down the canal, toward downtown, or the opposite way.. it's pretty cool to have it so close to my house. It is fascinating❤
Good work on this and yes it seems like I was going there every two weeks back in the 90s that place is HELL
I've lived in the Chicago area my whole life. I'm 69 . I grew up in Chicago but as I got older I lived in the different suburbs . I love where I live , but I've never seen the jail. This is fascinating, Thank you.
I’ve been in cook county jail
Several times
Last time was 2000
I’ve been in Joliet , statesvile
As well , last time in prison
( for me ) was 2001 -
I finally grew out of gang banging & participating in illegal activities- basically, I grew the Fuk up !!!!
I’m 50yrs old
This yr makes 14 yrs clean and sober (100% clean and sober)
My life (today) is nothing like it use to be back when I thought
Banging & going to
Jail & prison was normal!!
Division 2 , 5, 6, 9,10,11
Been there &. It sucked
Jail isn’t cool
Gang banging is a fool’s errand!!
I remember spending 24 hours at cook county jail and walking into my holding cell was blood all over the steel bed, shit was tough to sleep through the night
I spent a descent amount of time in cook county jail, I was arrested for aggravated fleeing and alluding, and reckless endangerment. I was given intake into division 8 where I stayed for a few weeks, this is the better part of the jail being so new. Then was moved to division 2 dorms. This was also better than most, however upon staff learning of my prior prison sentence was moved to division 1, which is a decrepit, depressing place. I was then moved to division 6 by mistake where than I stayed most of my time in division 10, maximum security. I only received one hour a day out of my cell, that was if the co felt up to it mind you. It is very isolating very crowded and very dirty. You would regularly see rats and cockroaches. I was eventually transferred to Statesville penitentiary. But will never forget my time in cook county as being very unforgiving.
Not proud of my prior life as a youth but I have been in cook county jail 5 times prior to being 30 years old and have been in div 1, 2 which is dorms for non violent crimes ,5,6 &11 &even then boot camp which is a part of the jail also you didn’t show (I think that’s what u said was the horse training you might have that confused )the last time being 2013 I was in division 5 then which closed while I was there due to mold and conditions for inmates which were bad ,@ that time they sent most of us to div 11 or div 1 which is where I went and it wasn’t as bad as the other decks actually even though the cells were half the size , only room for 2 bunks and a toilet no room to walk a sliding old mechanical door a car walk with bars that move would run free , and a smallllllll day room , the basement where electric chair was is a long all with rooms they use for offices and we had our Rec our yard in a big room downstairs in basement also a dungeon like place really , but it is a dangerous jail if you don’t know how 2 carry yourself 💯not the place to be!to my prior self going back that many times for any crime u r insane I have had not police contact since my release in 2016 !!I VOW TO ALWAYS BE A BETTER MAN&MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS IN LIFE TO BE SUCCESSFUL&THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN BE FOR MY KIDS AND OTHERS !WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE !BLESS ANYONE &EVERYONE !!
😢 no one liked my comment God Bless
Cook County is so over crowded, we house inmates for them all the way down here at are jail here in Mercer County, IL which is about 3 hours away from Chicago. I guess it helps support are little jail but makes you go wow at the same time...
Ah, my old neck of the woods. No, I wasn't incarcerated. I lived nearby. 😊 Great video!
13:28 That "Decrepid horse training arena" is known to us Little Village residents as "Plaza Garibaldi" and is a very famous local concert and event venue, holding many famous Mexican and Latino singers and artists performing there over the years. And the arena itself was once a "Plaza de Toros" bullfighting arena where bullfighting events were once held, but has since fallen into disuse due to the declining interest in the sport.
I've been to Cook County jail 4 times as a professional armed security guard they always put me in the cells with the worst of the worst murderers I even was in a cell with the 1st man in Illinois history to be charged with human trafficking 2 brothers that were identical twins .2013. I beat my case.... You would think that a security guard just walking down the street with his gun on his way to work getting locked up would not be held with the worst of the worst
The country jail love trying to set up mismatched fights like that.If you have petty theft they will house you with murderers
Sooo were you locked up or were you a guard…???
@@T00FAST4L0VE I beat all my cases and I'm a security guard in Chicago I work everywhere restaurants, grocery stores, city projects
@@richardstonyisland9719 it’s just confusing because you said you were there as a guard. Not that you were incarcerated there, beat your cases, and went on to be a security guard. Good for you though. I’m good now too but I was there on two occasions a little over a decade ago as an inmate. We beat the 80% recidivism rate yay.
@@T00FAST4L0VE sorry you got what I said confused 🤔.,
I worked as an RN there. I was attacked by an inmate. Even still, it was one of my best jobs😮.
You can now tour the prison in Joliet. They have concerts on the lawn inside. Its not fully renovated, but they are working on it. It is a limestone marvel.
I wonder if they’d like to work with me on the video about it, I could promote their tours
They have a haunted house there too during Halloween
They also do an awesome haunt during halloween season. Highly recommend it.
I would like to see a video about the facility of Joliet. More, though, I'd like to see a video about the history AND current state of corruption in the Illinois Department of Corrections. My relative was a Captain in the system but was consistently overlooked for promotion because of corruption, i.e. he wouldn't contribute to anyone's re-election campaign. He was even denied a position at the Kewanee facility when it opened, even though he was more than qualified. Why? Because some organization promised politicians that if they would give jobs to "certain people", everyone in that organization would vote for those politicians. The deal they struck kept my relative from being transferred and promoted. They don't run a system based on merit and hard work. The best jobs go to the highest bidder. You can believe me or not as you like, but I've lived the heartache of my family watching all of this happening. Even now, though my relative has retired, just thinking about this makes me furious!
Welcome to Chicago. The old joke about two men meeting at a funeral in Chicago. One asks the other, "How did you know him?" "He worked for me for 20 years at city hall. I came to his funeral to see what he looked like."
Lori lightfoot should be in there.
hunter and joe should be in there........ Really.......
@@jetsons101trump should be there
You should do one on the MCC in downtown Chicago. It's a federal facility and a really draconian looking highrise jail.
I've worked in buildings near there and could see them on the roof.
I actually have this one in my list and will probably do it after the Joliet episode. It is a very unusual building
@@ITSHISTORY Awesome, I look forward to it as that building has always given me the creeps.
@@ITSHISTORY I look forward to you doing them both. I do have a suggestion for you. Do a video on boss Pendergast the head of the crime syndicate in Kansas City in the early part of the last century. JJ Floyd, Harry S Truman, and boss Pendergast used to go to Henrietta, Missouri to do their back room deals, and go fishing and duckhunting. I stayed in Harry Truman’s bedroom at JJ Floyd’s hunting lodge for two weeks in Henrietta back in 2011. My friend that owned the house has sense sold it. The trio would take a boat and gamble on the way to Henrietta. Boss Pendergast did not know what to do with Truman. As county judge, he oversaw construction of roads. Boss Pendergast was one of the bidders. He was sure the Truman would approve his cement company to do the project. But, Truman was having nothing of it. He showed no favoritism. He selected the lowest bidder. Truman was known to be very stubborn. It makes sense. My Grandaddy is from the same area of the state and is stubborn as a mule. Unfortunately, I have inherited that trait.
I used 2 deliver toilet paper there. Lived my whole life in da City n that was da closest I ever been 2 sears tower at da time. Whole time my license was suspended n I had a felony warrant n was on da run. I was so nervous 1st time b4 I pulled out of da MCC
A video about the Joliet prison will be interesting. I also would be interested in a video about the Tinley Park Mental Health Center that closed 2012.
That place is fun to explore. 😊
I haven't lived in Chicagoland in years, but I feel like that place was a circular building right? Would love to see a video on that place.
I took a school trip to 26th and cali in middle school. It was an eye opening experience for me. Made me think twice about committing crimes
I was there for about a year. I came out unscathed except for one fight. Others that I saw weren't so lucky. I saw the aftermath of a rape victim and two people get stabbed, one them dying. But I think the worst thing I saw was the first day I was there. I was in receiving and the COs had an extremely mentally ill young man shackled to a big cart, like one of those carts you see at home depot for wood. Anyway, they wheeled this young man through there while them and other inmates made fun of him and spit on him. I thought, this is the most horrible thing I've ever seen. People can be so cruel. I mean the guy didn't even know what was happening. I still think about that moment today.
Makes me sad now that's so heartbreaking wish they never did that
If you are looking for material for jail abuses, I am currently trying to gather support for my case against Tri-County Jail in Ohio where I was not given my medications that I needed to survive three times and they tried keeping it wrapped up. For instance, my medical file is now missing. I about died seizing off of a tier and was trapped in a cell under suicide watch with them lying to an outside hospital twice telling the hospital that they indeed gave me my medications when they had not. They had me in the restraint chair because I lost my mind withdrawling off of 6 different medications on top of not having those crucial to live. I ended up seizing in the chair while all of them watched and did nothing, some of the guards kept whispering to just let me die while I am banging on the glass for my anemia meds and my thyroid meds(80% of my thyroid is gone due to an autoimmune condition) at the very least. It isn't right, jails are literally killing people right now and it needs to stop! If you have health issues, it becomes a worse torture than anybody could imagine. Anyways, super interesting video!
They don’t care you didn’t get your methadone bro
@@THAPOKEPINBALLER Thyroid meds buddy, my Levothyroxine(Missing 80%+ my thyroid) along with my Iron for anemia, Vitamin D, Subutex, Gabapentin, Baclofen, Zofran, Caplyta, Krill oil(For crazy palpitations)... so don't give excuses for them and I've had 3 different TBI's which I just got medical documentation back for and when you WD off multiple meds in jail while getting a head injury, turns out that scrambles your brain even more. I'm sick and tired of people giving reasons why these jails do this crap, it's population control.
@@ftffighter don’t go to jail lmao
@@jschulte3 I went there voluntarily, I could've just as easily put myself into a detox but I didn't trust myself enough at the time. I wanted to better my life, so yes if that's what it takes I will. My life is mine, thankfully it isn't yours. I'm sure you know all about fighting to change this bullcrap, you give some spiritually lifting with such an intelligent answer.
I’m sorry you dealt with that.
About 6 of us were taken there on some, "scared straight," BS. Horrible conditions, I'll never forget the stale smell of urine & feces. The guards were overly aggressive. I was going through, "intake," for 30 hours before anyone, job, gf, parents, etc had any idea where I was. After releasing, we were strapped with ankle monitors, shackled in a van and driven home. It was only 6 of us, yet I took 5 hours to drop everyone to their respective locations. During this trip, the guards stopped for fast food, mind you we hadn't eaten in almost a day. Chit chatted with locals, legitimately took their times. (probably their entire work shift) I was a complete clusterf***. This was 20yrs ago, and I saw so many failures in the system. Clogged toilets, cold, stale food. They locked 6 teenagers up for smoking a joint next to murderers and gang bangers. First thing you're asked upon getting into holding area, "what you in for...." upon hearing we were busted for smoking weed, it was a boisterous laughter. 🤦🏿♂️
Now that cannabis is legal in Illinois I look back at the entire situation as a miscarriage of justice and total abuse of power. When I told my kids all these years later, they don't even believe me. 😂😂😂
I guess that's a good thing.
#ReformCookCountyJail
Thanks for sharing your experience
I feel you.. it's very depressing how their lack of judgement can personally put your life at risk... I heard of some innocent being put in sector 10 and getting beat almost to death or getting lock up for longer for defending themselves from not being killed on site.
I hope it was some good weed ya's smoked 😬
Criminals: Either by crime or the ballot box.
DIV. 1 - closed and leveled. That building no longer stands.
DIV. 2 - inmate capacity was approximately 1,600.
DIV. 4 - used for video court (as opposed to in person appearances).
DIV. 5 - you forgot to mention this (general population).
DIV. 6 - accurate.
Cermak - on-site hospital facilities.
RTU/DIV.8 - accurate.
DIV. 9 - accurate.
DIV. 10 - accurate.
DIV. 12 - I believe you meant DIV. 11, there is no DIV. 12.
Receiving - mostly accurate.
Horse training facility - this is actually independent from the Sheriff and is an active rodeo during the warmer weather.
Yes, what this guy said.
Div. 3 - Psych and Medical for woman
Old Cermak if is still standing
Thank you for sharing this, the reference map I used for this may have been out of date - but it couldn’t have been by much. Do you have a different source we can see?
@@richjurgens old cermak is gone.
@IT'S HISTORY seeing that Division 1 was recently demolished, it may not be updated on any maps (i.e. Google maps). There was a news report on WGN channel 9 news about Division 1.
@@richjurgens I didn’t correct DIV. 3 as it’s slated to close.
Ive been arrested once on a warrant that wasn't actually perpetrated by me. My friend's brother used my name to try to get out of being arrested for solicitation. Because my name was squeaky clean he gave the officer's my name. The officers in the suburbs back then couldn't pull up the face on your license. Only your basic info. He didn’t know my birthday, social or address and they still booked him under my name. Cops pulled me over for non-appearance for a court date because of course he wouldn't show up. I was booked at the station on 111th and sent to Cook County. This was in 2005, it was a horrible experience. Thank God I was bailed out literally MINUTES before we all had to line up and get naked and put on the jump suit but I did go through the Dick Doctor process there was a class action lawsuit for. I was 21 and terrified. The charges were dropped once I saw the judge and they pulled up his mugshot and looked at me. But Cook County jail back then was horrific and I was only in there for about 12 hours during the intake period.
I've been there for a few things in my youth. Was in minimum twice where I worked in the food service section making trays for the rest of the jail. The food is nasty and should not be fed to animals let alone people. The other time was medium security for failing a drug test while on probation for a traffic issue. It was eye opening and the worst part of it was the upper raspatory infection that I got each time I was there. The place is a cesspool of germs and the rodents and roaches are huge. I didn't see much violence except for a guard beating another inmate who spit at him. Glad I changed my life around and never had to visit that place again.
How do they feed you? Does everyone go to a central dining hall or hand it to you in your cell?
Such a huge and chaotic place. Does anyone ever escape?
@@zephyer-gp1ju They deliver trays to each block. When I was in the minimum, it was a dormitory and they had a cafeteria. When in medium or higher, you eat in the common area where you also watch TV, play cards, BS with others. In that area you have a cell with at least one other cell mate and metal beds with foam cushions as beds and are locked down at night and let out for the day to the common area during the day.
@@zephyer-gp1ju I'd imagine it happens. Don't really hear about it much though so not really sure.
I spent nearly 22 hours in CCJ On 12/23/22 on a misdemeanor assault charge which I eventually won my case all charges were dropped a month later in court..those 22 hours in CCJ gave me a new perspective and as crazy as this sounds my ordeal there has taught me that arguing and cussing with anyone can lead to a charge against you and YOU DONT WANNA SPEND NAAN SECOND THERE.
Damm that's good you told me that I am a hot temper guy and I am also handicap now and alot older also but I am glad that you told me that because my ex-wife family members were locked up in there,and they told me them horrible stories about what goes on in there and now I lived in Atlanta Georgia and there prison system is F UP FOR SURE AND THAT'S WHY I TRY TO STAY CHILL ESPECIALLY I GOT TWO BEARS GRANDDAUGHTERS 2YRS AND 3YRS OLD UP IN MORRISTOWN TENNESSEE.
@@thomasholt63 yessir Mr.Holt stay calm n collected..my ordeal started when my 22 year old daughter (youngest of 5) was mouthing off to me one morning so at first i waa just ignoring her aa best i could then it escalated harsh words were spoken by both of us then she took my phone and charger out of the wall socket she then went into her room i got up to get it and she swung the cord at me striking me across my shoulder area and as i grabbed for the cord with both hands i guess one of my fingers scratched her eye because she left for an hour i assumed she had went to work but an hour or so later the local police came 4 deep and took me out of my home with pajama pants on and a tee shirt and socks (12-22-22) the officers showed me a picture of her with a scratch underneath her left eye..i don't know how the scratch got there but took her story as gospel..i was charged and arrested..i argued that ITS MY HOME AND SHE WAS DISTURBING THE PEACE BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND ATTACKED ME WITH A PHONE CHARGER CORD I WAS ACTING IN SELF DEFENSE. But they didn't wanna hear my story and because my baby girl had a scratch under her eye and had went and filed a report that was all the evidence the police needed..plus they put a gps on my ankle and i could not return to my home nor come within a one mile distance in all 4 directions until the case was settled which took nearly a full month..im still trying to catch up on my credit card payments because nearly a month in an extended stay at $75 a night got real expensive plus $2500 for a lawyer
BROTHER STAY CALM THE DRAMA AINT WORTH IT..
Man bro I needed to hear that. I recently had issues with my son and my baby moms that got me very angry. Even now I wanna punch my son in the face cuz he was so disrespectful and this mf bigger than me so I look at him as physical threat. But I'm 44 and I'm too old for jail bro I don't have time for that I'm a just keep my distance and hope things change in time
Try being in custody for three years there and having to go to trial to be acquitted.
@@stevenresendez1170 thats a tuff1 bro
The now defunct west branch of the chicago river ran through the middle of the jail area. You can see the outline on google maps and in the arrangement of the older buildings. It came through the part where there are shows still held with horses for the local Hispanic community. That’s county property but is used only by the local community. The abandoned tracks are from the multitude of long gone buildings that lined the old river bed and then to the south, the shipping canal.
Love your channel you do a Great Job 👏
It only shows google maps and stock photos. I would expect some actual photos of inside cook county jail
i remembered I was there in 96 and we were boarding the bus from Cook County jail to go to court in Skokie, IL. The C.O. warned all the inmates not to eat any food on his brand new bus as he was passing out bag lunches which consisted of two bologna and cheese sandwiches, a cookie, koolaid in a plastic bag, and an orange. There was a white inmate who decided to sneak his orange on the bus and take it back to the jail with him. So we all talking while taking the long ride back to Cook Couny jail and all of the sudden, an orange hit the floor and roll down the aisle and hit the C.O.'s foot. He asked who orange was it, and no one didn't answer at first and then the white inmate said it was his. The C.O. said didn't I tell u not to bring no fkn food on my bus, and told him to stand on the side as he finnished calling off names on his clipboard. Once he finnished, he kept looking around making sure no other C.O. was watching him and then he cracked the inmate with the clipboard about 3 times in the face with the clipboard. I was shocked, I kept thinking that if it was me they would have to beat my ass, bc there was no way i would have let him get away with that.
I would love to see a video on the old Stateville in Joilet. I was born and raised there and until Stateville opened in the 50's?? I think and became Joliet Correctional Center until it's closing I always wondered what it looked like on the inside. It was known for the Roundhouse Unit and the huge steel doors that faced Collins St. I never saw even a peek at the inside until they opened those massive doors for the opening of the Blues Brothers. Now I'm far away from there in Western Iowa but I'm pretty sure it still stands, built from Joliet Flagstone. If they haven't torn it down it will stand forever. Never benign Jail and from what you said and showed, I'm truly glad my Dad put the fear in me at a young age. Great video!
Yea, she's still there.Might have to have a re- grand opening at this rate.😢
Yes, please do a video on Old Joliet.
Was in the county for a year division 9 before going to stateville.
They used to stick the swab directly in the peephole for std testing. Very rough and work area was very dirty. A lawsuit forced them to stop.
Yes but all we got was like a bill
Man walked
26 and Cali... used to work a couple Mexican rodeos there in the field just east of the bldg on the southeast side of the intersection so 26th Place and S Rockwell. One time I saw a group of inmates from the bldg on the east side of that exercising with the guards watching. This was back between 2002 and 2008.
That's what it was at least then at your 13:28 mark
When you haven’t seen a friend in awhile and you bump into him or her and you ask that question yo where you been @ and they answer I was in California bro they ain’t talking about the state… 26th and California😂😂😂
Well I was a child and I used to visit my brother in joliette and Statesville correctional facilities I was like 6 years old
Man this is so crazy. That’s one place I’m never going… JAIL! ❌
PLEASE MAKE THE JOLIET PRISON ONE. I LIVE 20 MINUTES FROM IT
Old G from Chicago Southside, I been there in the 60's and 70's it's no joke for real.
Memories, thanks for making this video.
I had to bail out an ex from Cook County; waited close to 20 hours for him to walk out. You couldn’t leave because they would pick them back up for loitering but yet I was made to sit in the car, during winter.
Used to drive past Statesville every day during my commute to college. First time I ever saw a body outline. Right under the shadow of those limestone walls as it was still being actively processed by the police.
Terrible for sure
As a Chicagoan I actually forget we even have a jail directly in the center of the city
Same. I lived there 25 years and only saw that place once or twice in passing (e.g. on the bus). And since no friends or family (that I cared about) were ever incarcerated there, it was easy to forget about that place.
It was very horrible inside the offices that there 😢
ACE (S.C.)from Humbolt park. Much Respect n Thankx for looking out. I'll never forget Dec.97.
I’ve been here back in 2009, I went through processing but never hit the deck 😅 process was from 8am until 2 am for me, when u get there they put you in a bullpen and they tell you your bond, then they mark your arms up with numbers and you move from bullpen to bullpen all day. It was July 4th so it was very hot and all we got was a juice and a bologna sandwich all day. Shit was crazy 😅😅😅
I've been there a few times when I was young! Terrible place to be. Love your channel
I hope they kept Smollett's room the way he liked it.
I've been in that crook county jail back in 95 me and my brother spent about year I waz in division 1 maximum security while by brother was in division 9 maximum our crimes were carjacking arm violence arm robbery we were both facing 25 yrs at the age of 17 💥😶🌫️we took our case to the judge itz waz a bench trial and beat the oddz thank God for keeping me in great spirits 🙏🇲🇽
In reference to legal matters, I concur with certain individuals who express concerns regarding Cook County. Specifically, when considering potential legal consequences, I find it tiresome to constantly encounter issues related to Chicago, Cook County, and the broader region. This situation has become increasingly frustrating and necessitates a comprehensive resolution.
John Wayne Gary? I suspect it's a typo.
I think the electric chair was in the basement of the 1929 building - shown at 10:14 - with this view I'm guessing the death chamber was on the upper right of the whole building, the small extension with skylights to the North of the tall admin portion. Death chambers are usually near the outer edge of a facility, making it easier for witnesses to attend, and the body to leave! Anyway, I'm not sure which building it was in. Anyone know? And BTW, if you Google "Mad Dog Morelli" you will be treated a photo of 19 year-old James Morelli meeting his maker in this chair in 1949.
The chair was in div 1
Great video, I would love to see a video on the Missouri state penitentiary.
Jefferson City had about 3 of em when I lived there
💥💥 As someone who's been locked up before multiple multiple times I haven't been to jail since 2005. My advice is don't get locked up don't do stupid stuff then you won't have to worry about your rights being violated in jail.
So how about Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio? I've never personally been there. Came close. I was charged with a crime when it was still open bit ultimately got probation. I do have close friends whom have been there. It was a horrific place. I was fortunate that by the time I made it to state prison Ohio classified prisoners according to crime and criminal history and most inmates had no problems if they minded their own business and respected the other convicts. I'm sure you're aware the Shawshank Redemption was filmed there and concerts and ghost tours are held on the grounds. However, there's a rich history that dates back to when it was a Civil War prison. There. I wrote the video for you. You're welcome and thanks for the interesting content.
The band Godsmack made a music video their awhile back
After spending 2014 -2015 and 2018-2020 in there ..this should be interesting
Good job on the video. I went from there to Joliet (which is where everyone goes for about a month while you get classified for a prison to be sent to). Then to Shawnee prison which is 22 hours a day in a 6x8 cell with another dude. No heat or air conditioning, etc. Locked up with animals who ain't never goin home so they got nothing to loose, know what I'm sayin? And the guards are more heinous than the inmates. Cook Country jail is like a nice kindergarten compared to prison. Once that "guilty" comes down, you are no longer a human being. Imagine going into a huge haunted house for Halloween but there's no exit, you're lost, nobody will listen to you and all you can do is try to survive to make it out some day years later, but you're not even sure if you ever will. Fun times.
I found myself in jail once. I ended up losing my glasses but slept the entire time. They basically had to drag me out of there I was so dead to the world.
My aunt and uncle both work here, we get to hear some pretty insane stories
This place is terrible. You never want to go here. I live about 45 minutes north of Chicago. I have been in county and McHenry County. McHenry county is where I’m from. I’ve only done small time in there though. Waiting for my bail. The longest I did was two weeks. Let me tell you it’s two weeks too long. Don’t commit crimes kids. Jail is not a fun place.
do you know of a jail that's a really nice place to stay?
I never spent time on the inside but visited a few people that was there and I was scared to death going there
There’s 2 buildings one is low to max and the other is super max
recently, a prisoner was bailed out by a rival gang who shot and killed him as he left the facility.
It’s over crowded & disgusting
You need to do a Houston Texas, Harris county!!!
I was just recently incarcerated and just got home last month. I was in cook county jail figjing my case for 11 months and let me tell you, all your sins you committed are being paid for in the county. Those cold tunnels traveling between divisions is something ill never forget. And theres no sleeping let me tell you.
Sorry, I hear Cook County Jail and I think “Looks like the new Oldsmobiles are in early this year”
In Chicago we call it "Crook County" jail 😂
I’ve been watching videos a long time and really like them but the music in background at the beginning of this is far too distracting
We need a much bigger one,or two
My senior year of high school in Kentucky we had a guy disappear on spring break. Turns out he was in this jail for selling Molly. We ran into him years later and he was totally different. We were like what happened. Let's just say it was like hell for him. Then literally the next day he kidnapped a girl and ended up committing suicide by cop. I had forgotten about it till this video. That was 20 years ago.
Damm that's messed up
I sat in the Cook County Jail electric chair.
If you're arrested in Chicago you have till the morning NOT to go to the county jail. Chicago police have a lock up which depending on your crime you can I bond or bond from
I was in 6th grade when my school decided to do a field trip to the Cook County Jail. To this day driving pass Cook County puts my stomach in knots, I avoid that area period.
6th-grade field trip to cook county jail, wtf 💀 Was the shed aquarium booked up?
love this channel
I was in cook co around 2009 on a probation warrant from Manitowoc county WI and awaiting on pts to come get me took 3 days to make it back to Manitowoc county jail
Been there multiple times and years ago! Hope I never have to go back there ever again!
R.Kelly spent time in the Cook County singing " I Believe I Can Fly".
I did 10 days while pregnant. I'm grateful I wasn't there long enough to experience the true depths of the place
waiting for the video on the Joliet prison
I've been an unfortunate guest of Cook County Jail and I would hardly call that place humane. How can they be humane when they see all inmates as less than human. Their mental health system is an absolute joke.. I witnessed so many horrible things that went on there and I'm damn sure it is still going on today.. When you are there your not treated like a human being, your treated like a caged animal.
Division 11 is its own place not 12. I spent 6 months there.
That’s plaza Garibaldi 😂 where they have been having rodeos, concerts and festivals for many many years. The inmates can be seen from there watching, dancing and listening to the live music. My high school teacher back in the late 90s took our class to Cook county for a wonderful scared straight type experience.
I’ve been there twice unfortunately.. the first time for 4 months and the second time for 3 months
Hey, show some respect this must be a wonderful place that many call “home” considering how many people seem to love going there
One of the most important questions to ask was what you be about it meant what gang do you belong to
I actually was given the contract to clean the old prison in Joliet and I refused because of it’s history
If your society spends more on mental health and welfare in the community - it may not need to spend so much on jails - if an individual ends up in the jail - it’s the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff
Went there when I was 16 almost got my arm broke by a C O smh
Great video