Seven young men have committed suicide in Illinois’ juvenile correctional facilities in the past decade. During the same period there were about 175 serious suicide attempts by juvenile inmates.
Jason Doke, 17, Rockford
Jan. 25, 2000
Incarcerated for shoplifting and running away.
Hanged himself on a metal-frame bunk bed in the now-closed Illinois Youth Center at Valley View.
Kene Tillman, 13, Chicago
Oct. 17, 2001
Incarcerated on drug charges.
Hanged himself on a metal-frame bunk bed in the Illinois Youth Center at St. Charles.
Zachary Schwartz, 17, Naperville
Dec. 2, 2002
Incarcerated for burglary.
Hanged himself on an air vent cover while in confinement in the Illinois Youth Center at Kewanee.
Nkemakolan Miller, 19, Markham
Aug. 9, 2004
Incarcerated for burglary and aggravated battery.
Hanged himself on an air vent cover while in confinement in the Illinois Youth Center at Joliet.
Miguel Stone, 17, Champaign
Aug. 16, 2004
Incarcerated for criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to a vehicle and battery.
Hanged himself on a metal-frame bunk bed while in confinement in the Illinois Youth Center at Harrisburg.
Timothy Gage Westerfield, 15, Decatur
Sept. 28, 2008
Incarcerated for burglary and probation violations.
Hanged himself on an air vent cover in Kewanee Illinois Youth Center, several days after coming out of confinement.
Jamal Miller, 16, Springfield
Sept. 1, 2009
Incarcerated for aggravated battery and attempted robbery.
Hanged himself on a metal-frame bunk bed in Illinois Youth Center at St. Charles.
