Stateville Prison Lt. Jailed For Allegedly Stealing From Convicts

A Stateville prison lieutenant who told Patch over the weekend he had no idea he was wanted on felony theft and misconduct charges was jailed Monday.

Lt. Perry Kirk, 57, was booked into custody shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Kirk, a Hazel Crest resident, allegedly stole the “gate money” two prisoners were supposed to receive when they were released from Stateville.

Kirk spoke with Patch about the allegations on Saturday. He said he knew nothing about the case and had not been contacted by anyone from law enforcement or the Department of Corrections about the investigation.

“I’ve been blindsided sir,” Kirk said.

When released from prison, convicts in Illinois receive “their own possessions, and a bus ticket to their parole site if needed,” according to a report from the Center For Public Policy Research.

“The administrator of the facility has discretion to dispense $20-$50 for meals,” the report said.

The amount given to a released inmate “varies,” Kirk told Patch.

Nicole Wilson, the spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, refused to reveal the state’s policy for issuing gate money. Wilson claimed she was unable to disclose any details about the department’s general policy due to an “open investigation.” Wilson did not specify what “open investigation” she was referring to.

On Saturday, Kirk told Patch he was still on active duty. Wilson would not say if he had been or would be suspended over the criminal charges.

The criminal complaint against Kirk named the two prisoners he allegedly victimized. One of the prisoners was identified as Cortez Helton. The Department of Corrections has no record of a prisoner or parolee by that name.

The other prisoner was identified as Kyle Parker. The only Kyle Parker listed in Department of Corrections records as having been incarcerated at Stateville is a 35-year-old who did time for drug, traffic, theft and stolen vehicle convictions out of Winnebago, Kane and Lee counties. Parker is on parole.

Kirk said he has no recollection of either Helton or Parker.

“No sir, I don’t know them,” Kirk said. “I can’t remember them.”

Kirk faces up to five years in prison if found guilty of the charges.