Metro East Sun

Last week 18 members of the John A. Graham Correctional Center in Hillsboro were hospitalized after being in contact with an unidentified substance, and Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) wants answers.

“In light of the questions and conflicting information regarding the very serious incident at Graham Correctional Facility, I have requested a tour, along with my colleague State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Litchfield), of the prison at the earliest possible time,” Plummer posted on his Facebook page. “It is important that the Illinois Department of Corrections, and all areas of government, operate with extreme transparency and are accountable to the people and their representatives.”

According to a report by WTOK, on Jan. 18 prison staff members were sent to local hospitals after interacting with inmates who said they were experiencing severe discomfort. This included vomiting, lightheadedness and nausea. There were also “an undisclosed number” of inmates who received treatment.

Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello said the Illinois State Police hazardous materials team was taking part in the investigation. 

The report said that staff members who were affected were responding to a “medical incident involving individuals in custody who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.”

“All staff members who may have potentially encountered the unknown substance were also sent to a local hospital as a precaution, Puzzello said to WTOK. “All staff are stable currently and many have already been discharged.

ABC7 reported on Jan. 19 that the substance was tested by the Illinois State Police and it did not turn out to be narcotics or hazardous materials. Clothing is now being tested by the state police.

Plummer said he has heard “far too many” concerns from people about the prisons over the years. He said, "At our prisons we need to create an environment that offers inmates opportunities to better themselves but also an environment that ensures accountability, discipline, and safety for everyone."

Plummer’s post listed specific questions he wanted answers to, as well. This included information about unauthorized smuggling of substances into the facility; how many illegal and/or dangerous substances have been found in the last year; how many incidents in the last year where inmates have attacked staff and what repercussions occurred; and whether the substance from the Jan. 18 incident has been determined. Plummer is also requesting information regarding the lockdown status on Jan. 18 and 19, and whether there were searches carried out at the facility.

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, the Graham Correctional Center is a medium security facility for adult male inmates that opened in 1980. There are 1,328 inmates and a maximum capacity at the center is 1,596 inmates.