Concerns Growing Following Recently Reported Exposure Incidents at Illinois Prisons

Recent news coverage has inflamed concerns over potential exposures to dangerous substances in prisons operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections. Additionally, several Senators have received similar reports from constituents who work in the facilities, regarding prison staff and inmates becoming ill and receiving medical treatment.

A common theme in these reports involves mail sent to inmates that may contain papers soaked with drugs and/or other harmful substances. Following news coverage of an incident at the Menard Correctional Center, IDOC officials confirmed that preliminary testing indicated samples of paper had tested positive for fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids.

According to news reports from KFVS, multiple individuals from the Shawnee Correctional Center received medical treatment in recent weeks, and hazmat crews were on scene at the facility on September 20^th and 25^th.