SPRINGFIELD —State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s latest initiative, which would collect and publicize data on contraband found in each Department of Corrections  facility, passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law and preventing overdose in facilities throughout the state.

“Looking at the recent rates of overdoses in state-run prisons, it is clear that contraband drugs are being proliferated, putting thousands of people who are incarcerated at risk of exposure and death,” said  Guzmán. “To prevent these tragedies, we need to better understand where contraband is coming from, and this initiative will work to study the source of these materials and publicize it so that we can create a plan grounded in evidence to prevent overdose.”

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, compared to previous attempts to end the flow of physical mail for people who are incarcerated, which has not been successful at preventing the flow of contraband and is inhumane for incarcerated people.

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 legislation expands and improves transparency around contraband in our prisons and the effects it has on people who are incarcerated and correctional staff,” said Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the Executive Director of the John Howard Association of Illinois. “We can improve safety and health outcomes for everyone inside our prisons by making sure we better understand the actual risks."

“As public servants, we have a responsibility to improve transparency between state-run agencies and Illinoisans,” said Guzmán. “Without transparency, there is no way for the public to trust that any plans to stop the spread of contraband are founded in evidence, and may instead be harmful to people who are incarcerated. This initiative will ensure any plans are rooted in facts, and ensure people who are incarcerated are not mistreated in the process of changing these policies.”

Senate Bill 2201 passed the Senate on Thursday.  It goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

###