Joseph Wilson
Friends remember Joseph Wilson as a jolly, helpful man with a smile, known as 'the Big Fella,' who was held at Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections attributed his death in April 2020 to COVID-19. His friend Willie said the virus had spread through the prison before lockdown and questioned whether earlier protective measures could have saved him. His mother, Cynthia McDonald, said the corrections department did not contact her during his hospitalization and that she learned of his illness from an off-duty officer who was a friend of her son. Family members still held at the prison said more testing and cleaning supplies were needed and that overcrowding made social distancing impossible.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The Illinois Department of Corrections and its reports attribute the death to COVID-19, while Wilson's friend says earlier protective measures at Stateville could have saved him and his mother says the department did not contact her during his hospitalization.
Reported by: a spokesperson with the Illinois Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Willie, a fellow Stateville prisoner (witnesses); Cynthia McDonald, Wilson's mother (family or their lawyers).
Sources (4)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Illinois coronavirus update: Stateville Prison updates COVID-19 death toll to 5
- ‘They Should Be Letting Guys Go’: Six Illinois Prisoners Dead From COVID-19
- Deaths in custody: Under Illinois’ criminal justice overhaul, prisons must notify families