AFSCME Report Highlights Drug Crisis Impacting Illinois Prisons Staff

The Rising Tide of Drug Issues Within Illinois Prisons

Illinois prisons are facing an intensifying crisis due to the rampant spread of illegal drugs, as outlined in a recent report by Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The report, titled "The Growing Plague of Drugs in Illinois Prisons," highlights the severe impact of this issue on the nearly 10,000 AFSCME members working within the state's correctional facilities.

According to the report, "Over the past two years, these frontline workers have been confronted with an ever-increasing and dangerous problem in their workplace: the widespread proliferation and usage of illegal and illicit drugs within the general population of incarcerated individuals." This situation has escalated to the point of causing deaths and severe health emergencies, with employees facing heightened risks due to drug-related violence and exposure to hazardous substances.

AFSCME members occupy various roles in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), including positions in security, food service, administration, and rehabilitation. The report emphasizes the threats these workers face daily, with drugs like fentanyl, ketamine, and synthetic substances becoming increasingly prevalent.

Roberta Lynch, Executive Director of Council 31, underscored the exacerbation of dangers due to the drug problem. She stated, "Corrections employees face difficult, stressful jobs under the best of circumstances. Working short-staffed makes it even more challenging. Illicit drug use by individuals in custody raises the risk further, making offenders unpredictable and adding the threat of accidental exposure to toxic, synthetic or unknown substances. Through our union, AFSCME members are speaking out for the right to be safe at work."

Firsthand accounts from union members depict the growing challenge. A corrections worker from Pontiac Correctional Center remarked, "It’s getting worse over the last two years. It’s gone through the roof. Five years ago, you smell something burning, you’d be grabbing a fire extinguisher. Now you smell something, you know offenders are smoking something."

The report also draws attention to the fact that illicit drugs pose a threat not only to the staff but also to the incarcerated individuals. An employee from Graham Correctional Center shared a grievance from an inmate: "I’ve seen a grievance from an incarcerated individual that said he’s trying to get help to stay clean, but the drug problem in the prison is so bad that it’s easier to access drugs in prison than outside."

In response to these challenges, AFSCME Council 31 has put forward several recommendations aimed at mitigating the crisis and ensuring a safer environment for both staff and inmates. The full details and recommendations can be accessed in the complete report here.

AFSCME continues to be a pivotal support system for public safety professionals, advocating for improved workplace safety, fair wages, comprehensive healthcare, and secure retirement. To learn more about their efforts and how to get involved, visit the AFSCME Public Safety website.