Stateville Correctional Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Stateville Correctional Center. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,600 approx.
- Established
- 1925
- Operated By
- Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)
Stateville Correctional Center Inmate Communication Overview
Stateville Correctional Center is a maximum-security state prison operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections, located in Crest Hill in Will County, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. Opened in 1925, Stateville is one of the most historically significant prisons in Illinois and has housed many notable inmates over the past century. The facility is distinctive for its architecture, it includes a circular panopticon-style cellhouse designed so that a single guard station can observe all surrounding cells, a design concept from 19th-century prison theory. The facility's proximity to Chicago makes it one of the more accessible major prisons in the state for Cook County and suburban Chicago families.
Communication at Stateville follows Illinois Department of Corrections provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account, add the inmate using their IDOC number, and purchase stamps to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC contract. For families new to the Illinois system, understanding that JPay and GTL are separate platforms, each requiring its own account and funding, is the most important starting point. Messaging credits on JPay cannot be used for phone calls, and phone funds in GTL cannot pay for messages.
Stateville's location within Will County, adjacent to the Chicago metropolitan area, makes it more accessible for in-person visits than many downstate Illinois prisons. The facility is located off I-55 and is reachable from Chicago in about 45 minutes. Because JPay and GTL serve the entire IDOC system statewide, accounts you set up for Stateville will work if an inmate is later transferred to another Illinois facility. Stateville has undergone significant operational changes in recent years as the Illinois Department of Corrections has worked to modernize and reform its facilities, so confirming current visiting rules and communication access with the facility or IDOC directly is always a good step.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
2700 E. Audubon Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403
Main Phone
(815) 727-3607
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Stateville Correctional Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available. Requires IDOC number. Messages reviewed before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to IDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls. Fund GTL AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay. Separate from phone account funding.
Communication Providers at Stateville Correctional Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses IDOC identification number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the IDOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Stateville Correctional Center
- JPay and GTL are entirely separate platforms. Funds on one cannot be used on the other.
- Messages are reviewed by IDOC staff before delivery.
- IDOC-wide JPay and GTL accounts transfer if the inmate is moved to another Illinois facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Stateville Correctional Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Stateville?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Illinois DOC number. Purchase JPay stamps and send your message. Messages are reviewed by IDOC staff and typically delivered within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Stateville?
- Phone calls from Stateville use GTL. Create a GTL account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number, add funds, and the inmate can call you from facility phones.
- Is Stateville close to Chicago?
- Yes, Stateville is in Crest Hill in Will County, roughly 35 miles southwest of Chicago and accessible via I-55. For Chicago-area families, it is one of the closer major state prisons. Drive time from the city is typically 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
- If my loved one is transferred to another IDOC facility, do my accounts still work?
- Yes. JPay and GTL both serve all IDOC facilities under statewide contracts. Your accounts, contact list, and history carry over if an inmate is transferred within the Illinois system. You may need to update the facility when scheduling video visits through GTL.
- How do I send money to a Stateville inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Stateville Correctional Center. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
Troubleshooting at Stateville Correctional Center
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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