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Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital

State Hospital

Last Updated: May 01, 2025

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Address

2800 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Beds

129

County

Cook

Phone

773-674-7100

Fax

773-869-5441

dwjs@cookcountysheriff.org

View Official Website

Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital is for State Hospital offenders have not been sentenced yet and are detained here until their case is heard.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for Cook County Jail IL - maximum facility.

The phone carrier is Securus Tech®, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is MoneyGram There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Looking for an inmate at this facility? Visitation Information, Times and Rules

Satellite View of Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital

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You can support your loved ones at Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 773-674-7100.

The Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital stands as a correctional facility hospital situated at 2800 S California Ave in Chicago, IL. Operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections, these State Hospitals serve as venues for the evaluation and treatment of inmates sentenced for such purposes. Individuals undergo assessment and treatment before any new evaluation of their stability is undertaken.

Illinois DOC medical facilities comprise various housing levels catering to different security needs. These levels include Level I, featuring open dormitories without a secure perimeter, Level II with open dormitories and secure perimeter fences with armed coverage, and Level III offering individual cells, fenced perimeters, and armed coverage.

The medical facilities within Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital encompass a range of specialized services, including a general acute care hospital, correctional treatment center, licensed elderly care unit, in-patient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, and a hospice unit for terminally ill inmates. Additionally, the facility provides housing and treatment for inmates identified with AIDS/HIV, along with general population and other special inmate housing.

For information regarding inmates and visiting hours, individuals may contact 773-674-7100. These facilities prioritize the health and well-being of inmates while maintaining the necessary security measures dictated by their correctional context.

Cermak Health Services is the daily provider of healthcare to the approximately 11,000 detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision and Intervention. In August of 2006 Cermak also became the provider of healthcare to the approximately 400 children housed in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

The jail is located on the near Southwest side of Chicago. Cermak Health Services has lead the way on developing innovation that has improved correctional health care and is one of the largest providers of mental health care in the country. Cook County Jail enjoys one of the best records in the prevention of suicides in the nation.

Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital - Inmate Mail

Inmate Trust Account
Contacting the Trust and Finance Offices
For Family and Friends who wish to obtain information on how to add money to a detainee’s Inmate Trust Fund account or to inquire about monies you have sent to a detainee, please contact:
Trust Office: 773-674-6864
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
If you are a former detainee, or currently on Electronic Monitoring, and would like to collect your funds:
Finance Office: 773-674-6860
Hours 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Commissary
Each inmate at the Cook County Department of Corrections has an Inmate Trust Fund account, which allows an inmate to receive funds to use in on commissary, among other items.
Each week, an inmate can purchase up to $100 worth of clothing and supplies and $100 worth of food items.
Commissary offers:
• Clothing
• Stamped envelopes
• Toiletries
• Phone cards
• Food items (supplementary to the meals provided)

Table of Contents for Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Illinois. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital - Visitation

Visiting an inmate

The Cook County Department of Corrections encourages regular visits from family and friends. Shortened staffing levels or building lockdowns can limit inmate visitation times.

An inmate’s housing location will help you find visitation locations, days and times.

Finding an inmate’s housing location

To find an inmate’s housing location call 773-674-5245 or click here to visit the inmate locator online.

The first characters in the inmate housing location list the division where the inmate is assigned (e.g. DIV2, DIV08).

The second set of characters in the inmate’s housing location are the detainee’s tier or living unit (e.g. 2B or Q1). Look for the tier on the schedule, and the day of the week and hours where the tier is listed.

Sunday

8:00am – 1:30pm
2N, 2S, 2E

3:30pm – 8:30pm
3N, 3W, 3S (males only)

Monday 3:30pm – 8:30pm
2W, 3E, 3S (females only) Tuesday 3:30pm – 8:30pm
2N, 2E, 2S, 3N, 3W, 3S (Males Only) Wednesday No Visits Thursday No Visits Friday No Visits Saturday 3:30pm – 8:30pm
2W, 3E, 3S (females only)

Once the application is received, a background check will be conducted to determine if the applicant is approved for visiting privileges. Applicants must call the Visitor Information Center at (773) 674-5225 or email:doc.visitation@cookcountyil.govto inquire about the status of their applications. Please allow three (3) business days after submitting an application to inquire about the status.

Entrance Directions: Visitation for Cermak Hospital must enter in the Main Gate, located at 27th and California, just south of the Criminal Courts Buildings.

Please be advised that the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) has instituted a new visitation policy. Any individuals wishing to visit an inmate MUST complete and submit a Visitor Application to the CCDOC. Visitor Applications may be obtained and submitted at the following locations:
• Divisional lobby where the inmate is being housed
• Entrance of any Cook County courthouse
The application MUST be filled out completely and it is strongly encouraged to submit applications using the official Sheriff’s website. Minors 17 years of age or under DO NOT need to fill out an application; however they MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has been approved according to the new visitation policy at the time of the visit. Also, if the minor is high school age, a current state or school photo ID must be presented. Up to three children can be accompanied by one adult. If you have already submitted an application for an individual inmate, you DO NOT need to reapply. You will have to submit a new application if the inmate was discharged and then re-incarcerated.
Once the application is received, a background check will be conducted to determine if the applicant is approved for visiting privileges. Applicants must call the Visitor Information Center at (773) 674-8225 or email: doc.visitation@cookcountyil.gov to inquire about the status of their applications. Please allow seven (7) business days after submitting an application to inquire about the status.

Applicants will be DENIED visiting privileges based on the criteria below. If you have been DENIED approval for the reasons noted in points 3 and 4 below, you may reapply, but only if your mandatory waiting period has expired.
1. The applicant provided invalid, inaccurate or unverifiable information on the Visitor Application.
2. The applicant is a minor 17 years of age or under.
3. The applicant is:
4. Is within the first year of parole/probation.
5. On house arrest.
6. On bond, has an open criminal case, excluding misdemeanor traffic cases.
7. The applicant was discharged from CCDOC, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) or any other verified correctional facility within the last 60 days.
8. The applicant has an outstanding warrant, including ICE detainers or has failed to maintain accurate registration records as required by law (e.g., Sex Offender registry, Violent Offender registry, etc.).
9. The applicant has a protective order placed on the inmate they are requesting to visit.
10. Any safety or security reasons as determined by a CCSO supervisor.
11. Visitors are required to follow Cook County Department of Corrections visitor rules and regulations at ALL times while on facility grounds. Failure to do so may result in the termination or denial of future visits.

To apply for visitation, search for the inmate that you wish to visit below. If you wish to visit more than one inmate, you must submit an application for each inmate. All applicants will be subject to a background check.
Q: What are the hours of operation for the Visitor Information Center (VIC) hotline?
A: Monday-Friday, 10:00am – 9:00pm

Q: If an inmate is transferred from one Division to another, do I need to complete another application?
A: No. Only one application is necessary to visit an inmate regardless if he/she is transferred. You will have to complete a new application when an inmate has been discharged and re-incarcerated.
Q: Do I need to complete a new application for every inmate I visit?
A: Yes. A new application must be generated for each inmate you wish to visit.
Q: Do I need to apply if I am from out of town?
A: Yes. Visitors who travel 150 or more miles away from 2600 S. California Chicago shall be considered an out of town visitor. All out of town visitors shall follow the visitor application process in order to get approval for visiting privileges. Approved out of town visitors may be allowed a one-time courtesy visit during normal visiting hours and days. Any visit after your courtesy visit MUST be on the inmates regularly scheduled visiting days.
Q: Do I need to complete an application for my under age child to visit?
A: No. Only persons over the age of 17 must complete an application. Visitors 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an approved visitor who is visiting the same inmate.
Q: Where do I go on line to apply?
A: Apply by searching for the inmate above. A "Register online" link is provided to the right of the inmate's photo.
.
Q: How do I know if I'm approved to visit?
A: Applications will be processed within 7 business days of the date they were submitted. Please call the VIC at 773-674-8225 after the 7 business days to inquire if you have been approved. We also ask that you please call the VIC to inquire about your application prior to coming in to visit or email doc.visitation@cookcountyil.gov.
Q: How often can I visit?
A: After you have been approved, you will be allowed to visit once per week during one of the inmate’s scheduled visiting days and times
Q: What can I bring with me into the Department of Corrections?
A: To avoid inconveniences, delays in visits, or security problems, all visitors are encouraged to bring only those items you absolutely need, such as your keys and identification. A list of contraband is :
Contraband
All visitors and their belongings entering the CCDOC are subject to a search. Visitors are strictly prohibited from bringing in contraband into the CCDOC. Contraband items include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Any item deemed to be a safety or security risk by the CCDOC.
• Alcohol
• Electronics
• Newspapers/Magazines/Books
• Food
• Pocket Knives
• Cameras
• Lighters
• Syringes
• Cell Phones
• Matches
• Tobacco Products
• Drinks
• Music Players
• Tools
• Drugs
• Nail
• Clippers
• Weapons
Visitors may also be charged criminally with “Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution”, 720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1. as follows:
• Bringing into or possessing alcohol liquor in a penal institution is a Class 4 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing cannabis in a penal institution is a Class 3 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing any amount of a controlled substance classified in Schedules III, IV or V of the Illinois Controlled Substance Act in a penal institution is a Class 2 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing any amount of a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II of Article II of the Illinois Controlled Substance Act in a penal institution is a Class 1 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing a hypodermic syringe in a penal institution is a Class 1 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing a weapon, tool to defeat security mechanisms, cutting tool, or electronic contraband into a penal institution is a Class 1 felony.
• Bringing into or possessing a firearm, firearm ammunition, or explosive in a penal institution is a Class X felony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cook County Jail (CCDOC) - Cermak Hospital - FAQs

State hospitals provide inpatient psychiatric care for individuals requiring intensive mental health treatment. These facilities serve patients who are civilly committed due to severe mental illness, as well as forensic patients—those involved in the criminal justice system who require psychiatric evaluation or treatment. State hospitals are typically operated by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services or a similar agency and focus on stabilizing individuals through medical intervention, therapy, and structured care.

What is a state hospital?
A state hospital is a government-operated psychiatric facility that provides inpatient mental health treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. These hospitals serve both voluntary patients and those who are involuntarily committed due to safety concerns for themselves or others.
Who is admitted to a state hospital?
Patients are admitted through civil commitment (ordered by a court due to mental illness and inability to care for oneself) or through the forensic system (those referred by the criminal justice system for psychiatric evaluation or treatment). Some state hospitals also accept voluntary patients, though space is often limited.
What is the difference between a civil commitment and a forensic commitment?
A civil commitment involves individuals hospitalized due to mental illness that poses a danger to themselves or others, whereas a forensic commitment involves individuals referred by the courts for mental health treatment related to a criminal case. Forensic patients may be those deemed incompetent to stand trial, found not guilty by reason of insanity, or requiring psychiatric evaluation before legal proceedings.
How does someone get admitted to a state hospital?
Admission typically requires a court order, either through a civil commitment process initiated by family members, law enforcement, or medical professionals, or through the criminal justice system for forensic evaluations. Some facilities accept voluntary patients, but most prioritize those with the most urgent psychiatric needs.
What types of treatment are provided in a state hospital?
Treatment includes psychiatric evaluation, medication management, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, occupational therapy, and life skills training. Patients may also receive substance abuse counseling and support for co-occurring disorders.
Are state hospitals the same as psychiatric wards in general hospitals?
No. Psychiatric wards in general hospitals provide short-term stabilization for acute psychiatric crises, while state hospitals offer long-term treatment and rehabilitation for individuals with severe or persistent mental illness.
How long do patients stay in a state hospital?
The length of stay varies depending on the patient’s condition, legal status, and treatment progress. Some individuals may stay a few weeks or months, while others with complex needs or forensic commitments may remain for years or indefinitely if they are considered a continued risk to themselves or the public.
Can a patient refuse treatment in a state hospital?
Involuntary patients may be required to take medication and participate in treatment if deemed necessary by medical professionals and approved by a court. However, legal protections exist, and patients have the right to challenge their treatment through legal channels. Voluntary patients generally have more autonomy in their care.
Are state hospitals secure facilities?
Yes, especially forensic units where patients are under legal custody. These units have controlled access, security protocols, and staff trained in crisis management. Civil commitment areas may have more flexibility, but safety remains a priority in all units.
Do patients have access to visitors while in a state hospital?
Yes, but visitation policies vary by facility and patient status. Some patients have limited or supervised visitation, particularly in forensic units, while others may have more frequent visits depending on their treatment progress and behavior.
Can patients leave the state hospital at any time?
Voluntary patients may discharge themselves, though medical staff will assess their readiness to leave. Involuntary patients must meet legal and medical criteria before being released, which often requires court approval.
Do state hospitals provide educational or vocational programs?
Some state hospitals offer vocational training, life skills development, and educational opportunities to help patients transition back into the community. Programs may include job readiness training, social skills classes, and supported employment initiatives.
What rights do patients have in a state hospital?
Patients have rights, including access to adequate medical care, humane treatment, legal representation, and appeal processes for involuntary hospitalization. Federal and state laws, such as the Mental Health Patient Bill of Rights, ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect.
How does a state hospital help forensic patients reintegrate into society?
Forensic patients may transition through step-down programs, including supervised housing, community-based treatment, and conditional release programs. The goal is to provide continued mental health support while ensuring public safety.
Who pays for state hospital treatment?
State hospitals are primarily funded by state and federal government programs, with costs covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or state mental health services. Patients with private insurance may have additional coverage, but involuntary hospitalization is typically state-funded.
Can patients have personal belongings in a state hospital?
Personal belongings are allowed but may be restricted for safety reasons. Items such as sharp objects, medications, and electronics may be prohibited or require special approval. Each facility has guidelines on what is permitted.
What happens after a patient is discharged from a state hospital?
Discharge planning includes connecting patients with outpatient services, medication management, therapy, and community resources to support their transition. Many patients enter supervised housing, outpatient mental health programs, or assisted living to maintain stability post-discharge.

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