Bill could ensure Illinois prisoners receive physical mail, collect data on mail restriction

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Department of Corrections is in the process of implementing a pilot program to scan mail for prisons to receive letters and other communication virtually. However, some Democratic lawmakers argue access to physical mail has an important impact on people and mail should only be scanned if it presents a clear and present danger.

A bill in Springfield could require IDOC to collect data on why they restrict access to mail and how often it happens. The plan would also limit the department's use of access to mail, in-person visits and virtual calls as disciplinary punishments.

Sponsors and advocates said denying connection with family and friends can lead to worse outcomes.

"To this day, I still have the original physical mail from my grandmother when I was incarcerated," Restore Justice Policy Manager James Swansey said Tuesday night. "She passed away early on in my incarceration and always told me that I was going to make it back home. Although I knew I had let her down, she had not lost hope in me and still loved me as she had before."

The union representing Illinois prison employees has worked with IDOC officials to launch the mail scanning program in hopes of preventing drugs from entering prisons.

"We did not put in any bills to outright ban physical mail," said AFSCME Council 31 Intergovernmental Affairs Director Adrienne Alexander. "But, part of the reason we are opposed to this is we want to be able to see if this has a difference in what's happening inside the facilities as they're starting this process."

Yet, experts from the John Howard Association said other states that prohibited physical mail for prisoners have seen an uptick in drugs and overdoses inside facilities.

House Bill 3713 passed out of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee on an 8-5 vote. The legislation now moves to the House floor, but Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake) told committee members that she would hold the proposal on second reading and bring an amendment back for consideration.