SPRINGFIELD —A new measure supported by State Senator Graciela Guzmán to prevent overdoses in Department of Corrections facilities was signed into law on Friday.

“In order to prevent tragic overdose deaths, we need to better understand where contraband drugs are coming from, instead of enacting policies without evidence demonstrating it will be effective in stopping the proliferation of banned goods,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago).  “Thanks to our work with this legislation, we will soon have a better understanding of how these goods get into DOC facilities, so we can begin work to prevent their movement and consumption.”

Senate Bill 2201 requires 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 also makes 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 law 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 creates more transparency around emergency medical responses, hospitalizations, use of naloxone, and drug overdoses of people who are incarcerated at IDOC facilities. It makes 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.

"The John Howard Association of Illinois is thrilled that Governor Pritzker has signed SB 2201 into law – understanding what and how contraband gets into prisons is critical to developing sensible and effective policy responses that will keep people who are incarcerated and the people who work in IDOC safe,” said Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the Executive Director of the John Howard Association of Illinois. “ We are grateful to Senator Guzmán and Representative Johnson for their leadership on this effort; effective solutions are based on identifying the actual causes of a problem– this is true inside our prison system, as it is in our communities.  This new law mandates the collection and reporting of important data that will shed light on what is hurting people inside, how it is getting in, and the impact contraband is having on people’s health and wellbeing inside the prison.  We look forward to working with all stakeholders to identify and implement impactful solutions based on what the data reveals to be the sources and vulnerabilities leading to the increased presence of drug contraband in our prisons."

Senate Bill 2201 was signed into law on Friday. It is effective immediately.

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