SPRINGFIELD —To better address the growing issue of contraband in prisons, State Senator Graciela Guzmán passed a measure through committee to collect and publicize data on contraband found in each Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facility, including how it entered the facility and how those possessing it were punished.

“For the safety of people who are incarcerated as well as staff who have a duty to intervene in these situations, we need to do more to prevent contraband from moving into prisons,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “However, our methods to prevent contraband need to be rooted in facts and data. This new initiative will help us get a better understanding of where contraband is coming from before imposing new regulations that are not based on evidence—methods that further isolate and dehumanize people who are incarcerated.”

Senate Bill 2201 would require the Illinois Department of Corrections to collect and publish data concerning contraband found in their facilities, including the type of contraband, where in the facility it was identified, and the method of entry into the facility. It would also make public the consequences for people in custody for possessing or attempting to procure contraband to ensure any disciplinary actions meet ethical standards and do not include excessive force.

This bill is intended to establish an effective and fair method to address the problem of contraband in prisons, while also ensuring incarcerated peoples essential access to communications from their loved ones, and the world outside they are preparing to re-enter.

“History shows that restricting physical mail to people who are incarcerated does not prevent contraband from getting in—in fact, imposing mail scanning policies have led to increases in drug overdoses,” said Guzmán. “We should not further isolate people who may already be high risk to engage with dangerous substances, and prevent them from communicating even more with their loved ones, and instead use our resources to establish the real source of contraband proliferation and take preventative measures based on facts, not bad faith assumptions.”

Additionally, the initiative would create more transparency around emergency medical responses, hospitalizations, use of naloxone, and drug overdoses of people who are incarcerated at IDOC facilities. It would make public any substance use disorder treatment or educational materials IDOC is providing to people who are incarcerated, or those who have used contraband drugs, to ensure they are getting adequate treatment and education on substance use issues to support rehabilitation.

"This data will allow IDOC to better craft solutions to keep contraband out of prisons, manage those who violate rules and laws by bringing contraband into facilities, and improve the safety of everyone who lives and works inside the prisons,” said Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the Executive Director of John Howard Association of Illinois. “Defining and accurately assessing the problem is critical to creating and implementing impactful and effective responses."

Senate Bill 2201 passed the Senate Criminal Law committee on Tuesday.