Legislators suggest that safety protocols be put in place before delivery of non-legal mail and packages be allowed. Legal mail -- sent between inmates and their attorneys -- would not be affected.
The incidents of dangerous exposure include a report last weekend that several staff members at the Shawnee Correctional Center in Vienna became ill while they were sorting mail. Samples of mail and clothing were tested on site, but no drugs or narcotics were detected. Further testing is taking place at the Illinois State Police crime lab.
Previous incidents and investigations have taken place at Menard Correctional Center, the John A. Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro, and at the Illinois River Correctional Center near Peoria.
The letter to the Illinois Department of Corrections Acting Director Latoya Hughes was shared to the public by State Senator Dale Fowler and signed by Fowler, State Senator Terri Bryant, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, State Representative Paul Jacobs, State Representative Dave Severin and State Representative David Friess.
On the Net:
Sen. Dale Fowler Facebook page
