Investigation reveals rampant use of restraint chairs in Illinois county jails

Recently, a nine-month investigation by the Illinois Answers Project, found that an alarming rate of Illinois jails place people on restraining chairs every day. 

The United Nations has called the use of these chairs “torture” and their use in Illinois jails many times violates their policies and procedures. 

Today, we are joined by the reporter behind the investigation, Grace Hauck. She'll tell us about how she uncovered this story. We are also joined by the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas, Austin to learn more about the use of restraint chairs.

GUESTS:

Grace Hauck

Investigative Reporter, Illinois Answers

Michele Deitch

Director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, University of Texas at Austin

A version of this conversation was originally broadcast July 24, 2024.