The Illinois State Penitentiary, also known as Illinois Department of Corrections, is a correctional facility located in Chester, Illinois. Established in 1867, it serves as a medium-security prison for male inmates. The facility is designed to house individuals convicted of various crimes and aims to provide rehabilitation programs to help inmates reintegrate into society. The penitentiary is part of a larger network of state prisons in Illinois and is managed by the Illinois Department of Corrections. It features various security measures and programs focused on education, vocational training, and mental health services to support inmate development and reduce recidivism rates.