Lake County Adult Detention Center Earns National Innovation Award for Security, Programming Upgrades

A new LINEV Systems ClearPass body scanner at the Lake County Adult Detention Center in Illinois was one recently implemented technology that contributed to the facility earning the National Institute for Jail Operations’ Detention Facility Innovation Award. | Photo Credit (all): Lake County Sheriff’s Office

• The Lake County Adult Correctional Facility received the National Institute for Jail Operations’ Detention Facility Innovation Award.  

• The recognition covers a broad operational approach that includes a body scanner, two corrections K-9s, staff training and specialized resources.  

• The jail has also expanded education, workforce development, reentry programming and on-site physical therapy.  

• The award follows the facility’s sixth consecutive American Correctional Association accreditation under the organization’s new 5th Edition standards.  

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The Lake County Adult Correctional Facility in Illinois has received the National Institute for Jail Operations’ Detention Facility Innovation Award for a coordinated series of security, operational, training and programming improvements. 

The national recognition highlights Lake County’s efforts to strengthen contraband detection, improve safety for staff and individuals in custody, expand access to services and support successful reentry.  

NIJO presents the award to detention facilities that demonstrate exceptional achievement in developing or improving an aspect of their operations. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) was recognized for combining new technology and equipment with specialized resources, staff training and programming.  

Sheriff John D. Idleburg credited the LCSO’s Corrections Division for the achievement. “They have worked incredibly hard to make our jail safer, more secure and more effective,” Idleburg said, according to a press release from Lake County.  

Among the recent security improvements was a ClearPass body scanner from LINEV Systems, placed into service in March after correctional officers completed specialized training. The scanner supplements traditional search methods and gives staff another tool for detecting drugs, weapons and other concealed contraband. 

In addition, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office assigned its first K-9 dedicated specifically to the Corrections Division in April, followed by a second corrections K-9 in August. The teams — including Officer Michael Mazurkiewicz with his partner Brek, and Officer Eduardo Zapata and his partner Max — assist with contraband detection, facility searches, apprehensions, emergency disturbances and other operational needs. 

LCSO Deputy Chief Scott Miller told Correctional News that the facility recently transitioned to a jail management system from Tyler Technologies and implemented the company’s handheld technology for staff to use during rounds and for inmate tracking. The facility also recently upgraded its less-lethal equipment to PepperBall technology, including new launchers and additional equipment, and implemented the G.L.O.V.E. wearable de-escalation device from Compliance Technologies, along with staff training on the new product. 

The facility’s work also includes expanded education, workforce development and reentry services. Current offerings include GED instruction, the Bridges Program through the College of Lake County, substance use support, anger management and other educational programming. On-site physical therapy has also been added, allowing some individuals in custody to receive treatment without an outside medical transport and reducing the related security and staffing demands.  

Miller added that the LCSO has prioritized professional development and brought in other specialized training opportunities for staff. Facility officers have taken part in Dynamic Cell Extraction, Correctional Emergency Response Tactics and Creating Change in Correctional Organization training programs from training provider ARC Tactical. Miller said that De-escalation for Corrections training through ARC Tactical will continue at the facility through September. 

In July, the facility earned its sixth consecutive accreditation from the American Correctional Association after a review under the organization’s new 5th Edition standards. Auditors evaluated more than 400 standards addressing security, healthcare, life safety, staff training, facility management and programming. The jail also maintains accreditation through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and receives annual inspections from the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

Idleburg and members of the Corrections Division accepted the award at NIJO’s JAILCON26 Central Regional Conference, held Aug. 18–20 in Overland Park, Kan.

This article is based on a press release published by Lake County, Ill., on Aug. 27, 2026, with additional reporting from Correectional News.