The Illinois Department of Corrections is launching its first “Life Skills Reentry Center” in Kewanee.
It aims to teach a variety of skills to prisoners during the final years of their sentence. Then, officials hope, they will be less likely to commit another crime upon release. Example topics include cognitive behavioral therapy, sending e-mails, and making a personal budget.
Warden Tony Williams says such skills may be things inmates haven't necessarily been exposed to due to their incarceration.
Inmates will have to apply to be relocated to the Kewanee center and be in the last four years of their sentence. The facility could start receiving prisoners as early as next week.