The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office faithfully serves the community, promoting the safety and equal protection of all.
In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office had four in-custody deaths. This Office has been fully transparent in providing information in conjunction with McHenry County Sheriff’s Office General Orders, policy and procedures, state laws, and the consideration of affected families.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office empathizes with members of our community and the families affected by these losses.
In the case of any inmate death, an investigation by an independent agency is always conducted. In recent events, McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) has been called upon to act as the independent agency. Details are not released until MIAT, in conjunction with the Coroner’s Office, concludes the investigations. This process is consistent with any type of investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office goes through comprehensive measures to ensure the health, safety, and wellness of all inmates. The Sheriff’s Office is contracted with a health and wellness provider that is on staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This staff meets with all inmates upon intake and continuously monitors the health and needs of these individuals. Inmates who need further healthcare are transported to local health facilities where they remain further evaluated and medical needs are addressed. These inmates are considered in-custody. In-custody is not physically limited to the jail but defined as individuals under the supervision and care of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office receives guidance on best practices through the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) standards and American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation standards. The Sheriff’s Office’s own policies and procedure ensure that these standards are met or exceeded. If you’d like to review Sheriff’s Office’s procedures, you can find them here: https://public.powerdms.com/MCSO1/tree.
The Sheriff’s Office is committed to the health and safety of each inmate and are confident in our Corrections Officers’ ability to maintain a safe environment. As investigations conclude and more information becomes available, we will update the public.
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