Dieterich, IL… State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) announced today that the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has finally enacted an emergency rule change to prevent contraband from entering its prisons through letters and books sent to people in prison. Under the rule that went into effect Aug. 14, IDOC will electronically scan mail and provide a digital copy or paper copy to an incarcerated person. The rule also specifies that books, magazines and other publications can only come through the prison’s mailroom from the publisher.
“I am pleased that my suggestion to scan the mail coming into our prisons has finally been implemented,” stated Rep. Niemerg. “It should not have taken nearly a year for this common-sense policy to be put in place.”
After a series of incidents last fall that left dozens of correctional personnel hospitalized after exposure to substances or overdoses in the prison population, IDOC introduced the rule under pressure from Republicans including Rep. Niemerg and the prison workers’ union.
The union that represents IDOC employees, the Illinois Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, released a report in September that stated “IDOC must act now to stop drug use – including the rapidly increasing use of synthetic drugs and smoking of wasp spray – in its system and keep its employees and incarcerated residents safe.”
Exposures were reported at correctional centers last year, causing IDOC to temporarily suspend mail processing services within correctional facilities. The dangers of handling individuals under the influence of drugs and accidental drug exposures also resulted in union members taking to the picket lines to bring attention to their safety concerns.
Niemerg toured Lawrenceville Correctional and Robinson Correctional Centers last year to meet with prison officials and staff and learn first-hand exactly what was being experienced on a day-to-day basis. IDOC signed a contract with a vendor that does mail scanning within weeks.
“Emergency rules needed to be implemented to provide for the safety and security of committed persons, staff, and the public,” added Niemerg. “Emergency rules can remain in place for up to 150 days, but if the department should make the rule permanent.”
If anyone has any other information they would like to share with Rep. Niemerg on this issue, please contact him at his district office at 217-813-6036.
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