Use the contact info Steve listed. I have done two documentaries involving Illinois prison video, with excellent cooperation. My contact was Sergio's predecessor, Nic Howell, however. I shot at Joliet, Pontiac, Henry Hill in Galesburg and Spoon River in Canton. I had access to just about any interior shots I wanted as long as inmates didn't object, which many did. I did interviews with inmates(with inmate permission) and with staff. Expect to hear rude remarks from inmates when you carry a camera in a prion and some may not answer your questions but rather pontificate on how they've been wronged, but overall it was most worthwhile. You are always accompanied by a prison representative. Sergio will ask what the intent of taking video will be, but once you get by that hurdle, it's just like any other story.
