Menard Correctional Center in Chester was placed on lockdown last week and staff were provided with personal protective equipment as a hazmat team and the Illinois Department of Corrections investigate a recent incident.

Per media reports, the IDOC said two staff members reported to the prison’s health care unit last Monday after experiencing symptoms linked to a medical emergency involving an inmate. Both were treated at a hospital and have since been released.

While transporting the inmate for treatment, another officer also reported feeling ill and was treated and released. Following this, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency’s hazmat team was contacted.

The IDOC reported no further incidents last Monday or Tuesday, but, last Wednesday, another Menard staffer exhibited symptoms and was transported to a hospital. Shortly afterward, other staff members who responded to the incident began experiencing similar symptoms. 

As a precaution, 11 additional staff members were taken to a hospital for evaluation but have since been released.

As a result of last week’s incidents and prior safety concerns at Menard, State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) state in a news release this week that she is calling for new leadership at the correctional facility.

“Due to my maintained close personal relationships with hundreds of IDOC employees, I have been made aware of numerous staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults over the last several years. However, this information is not being shared with the general public,” Bryant said. “In addition to the complex mix of security challenges that staff are already dealing with, there remains a problem plaguing the Department of Corrections regarding the intake of inmate mail. Just last week, inmates and nearly two dozen staff members at Menard Correctional Center were hospitalized with illnesses including rashes, dizziness, severe headaches, and vomiting. The County Journal reported that inmates told correctional officers that the illnesses appeared to be linked to synthetic cannabis that was laced with some sort of ‘cockroach spray.’”

Bryant, a retired corrections employee, said the IDOC must implement scanning of all incoming pieces of mail to ensure no hazardous materials or dangerous intoxicating or poisonous compounds are contained in the mail coming into any DOC facility.

“This is not happening, and we are now dealing with sick inmates and staff who have been exposed to dangerous materials,” Bryant said.

Bryant further stated that she traveled to Menard on Aug. 20 in an attempt to get a first-hand look at the operations of the prison, speak to staff and leadership, and gain perspective on what’s happening there.

“It may not surprise you to learn that I was denied access to the facility by the deputy director, chief compliance officer, and acting director of the (IDOC),” Bryant said. “I was, of course, outraged by this.” 

Bryant said new leadership and a new direction are needed immediately at the Illinois Department of Corrections.

“I stand ready to introduce legislation and support any administrative initiatives that must occur so that together, we can restore order and safety within our Department of Corrections for everyone’s sake,” she said.