The McLean County Jail Review Committee is a citizens’ group founded in 1980 at the suggestion of then Sheriff Steve Brienen. 

It is a free-standing body whose members are appointed by various community groups to serve as their representatives. 

The function of the committee was: 1) to monitor conditions in the McLean County Jail; 2) to see that inmates’ civil rights were protected; 3) to talk regularly with jail staff and inmates to identify problems that may be present, work toward their resolution, and publicize them if necessary; and 4) to explore with other public officials in the criminal justice system ways in which the humaneness and efficiency of the criminal justice system and jail operations may be continually improved.