THE FOLLOWING IS AN ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY RELEASE
Legislators Tour Robinson and Lawrence Correctional Centers
ABOVE: Photo (l-r): Rep. Adam Niemerg (102nd Dist.); Sen. Terri Bryant (58th Dist.); Lawrence County States Attorney Brady Waldrop; and Sen. Chapin Rose (51st Dist.).
Teutopolis, IL… State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-102nd District) and State Senator Chapin Rose (R-51st District) met with local prison officials on Thursday to address growing numbers of reports about the rising instances of drugs making it inside the facilities with exposure to guards, staff, and other inmates. Joined by Lawrence County States Attorney Brady Waldrop and State Senator Terri Bryant (R-58th District), the issue of complaints about the lack of medical coverage for staff who are injured at these facilities was also covered.
“We have had numerous family members, guards and staff reach out regarding on-going safety and security concerns,” said State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). “We appreciate what they do to keep the rest of us safe, so our goal is to address these issues directly, ask the right questions, and create an action plan that ensures our staff has every tool necessary to maintain the highest level of safety.”
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) officials were able to confirm a new process for incoming mail to the facilities that will begin in several months, but Rep. Niemerg and Senator Rose are pushing for an interim plan to deal with drugs coming into the facilities while that new process is being implemented. That stopgap plan will require equipment and staffing considerations to work out with the local union and the IDOC Administration.
Rep. Niemerg explained, “I have been receiving calls for weeks now about the increase in drugs into the correctional centers that are coming in primarily through the mail infused into the letters and paper envelopes and then smoked or ingested by inmates. The smoking or burning of these drugs is exposing guards and prison staff to toxic fumes resulting in a need for medical attention. We need to have an interim plan for the next seven months to address this issue and I will continue to work with the Department of Corrections, the AFSCME staff, and Central Management Services (CMS) to acquire necessary equipment to fight this problem.”
Additional meetings are being requested during the Veto Session next week while legislators are back in Springfield. If anyone has information or concerns about this statewide issue, Senator Rose can be contacted at 217-607-1853 and Rep. Niemerg may be contacted at his district office at 217-813-6036.
