Former head of Ill. prison watch-dog group indicted on kickback scheme

Illinois is so corrupt, even the reformers can't escape the eyes of federal investigators.

Named after an 18th English prison reformer, the John Howard Association of Illinois used to be run by Michael J. Mahoney. When overcrowding hits Illinois prisons and jails, it's the John Howard Association that speaks up for people most people think deserve to suffer.

But last week Mahoney was indicted on mail fraud charges for his alleged role in steering state prison contracts and splitting the kickbacks.

Technorati tags: prisons corruption Illinois crime