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Justin Hammers | Chief of Operations
Justin Hammers was named Chief of Operations at the Illinois Department of Corrections January 1, 2022. In this position, he is responsible for the overall operations of adult male institutions. Prior to his most recent appointment, Hammers served as Deputy Director for Region 2.
A veteran employee of the Illinois Department of Corrections, Hammers began his career as Correctional Officer at Pittsfield Work Camp in May 1996. In 2000, he transferred to the Jacksonville Correctional Center. While at Jacksonville he worked in a variety of positions and served as the facility’s Intelligence Officer and Intelligence Coordinator, was a member of the internal Audit Team, a facility screener and was on the facility’s Adjustment and Program Committees. In January 2014, Hammers was named Assistant Warden of Operations at Hill Correctional Center. In July 2014, he was named Assistant Warden of Programs at Western Illinois Correctional Center. In October 2014, Hammers was named Assistant Warden of Operations at Illinois River Correctional Center and in June 2015 Hammers served as the facility’s acting Warden until April 1, 2016 when he was named Warden. Hammers served as Warden at Illinois River until he was appointed as Warden of Western Illinois Correctional Center in 2020.