Drug Exposures continue to rise for Illinois Department of Corrections staff and inmates

ILLINOIS (KBSI) – Drug exposures in Illinois prisons continue to rise, putting workers, staff and inmates at risk.

According to Senator Terri Bryant more than 65 incidents have been reported of drug exposure to staff and inmates since August.

Recent exposures have been reported at Menard, Pickneyville, Shawnee, and Dixon correctional centers.

These exposures have resulted in staff receiving Narcan or receiving medical attention.

According to a letter written by the Illinois General Assembly its believed that a large number of these exposures are happening through the mail.

A request was sent to Illinois Department of Corrections last week to stop all mail to Illinois State Prisons until the Drug Exposure situation is contained.

Mail to Illinois inmates has not been stopped at this time.

Illinois State Lawmakers argue that these exposures are not just a major health concern to staff but to inmates as well.

Senator Terri Bryant stated in a Facebook post that there have been two overdose deaths reported in inmates at Dixon Correctional Center and Pickneyville Correctional Center.