SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Department of Corrections has scanned mail for prisoners since Sept. 29, but the agency continues to have issues with the technology and transparency for lawmakers.
IDOC implemented its mail scanning emergency rule Aug. 14 to prevent drugs from entering facilities, leaving lawmakers confused about the long delay before prisoners actually started to receive mail on tablets.
"The network is still being built out. We have begun scanning, but there are some locations within facilities where we still need to build up the network strength," said IDOC Director Latoya Hughes. "That process is continuing."
Democrats and Republicans believe the agency did not act quickly enough to get the mail onto the digital platform if there truly was an emergency.
Some members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules are also furious that the tablets were preloaded with games instead of the mail scanning application.
"There is a possibility that this state could go to whoever is providing those tablets and do a separate contract that pulls all the entertainment features off the tablet and provides the one app that is necessary to get them their mail," said Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock).
The agency has made accommodations for prisoners who wish to have printed copies of their mail to hold after it is scanned.
IDOC plans to have a public hearing for stakeholders and advocates to discuss the issue in the coming months.
The emergency rule is set to expire in January, and many are worried there will be a gap in time before a permanent policy is approved for prison mail.
"We have now created a problem for the beginning of the year 2026 on where we go next," said Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). "If we are going to get to a solution, we have to have meaningful engagement with critical stakeholders and meaningful engagement with this committee."
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law this summer to require IDOC collect and publicize data on contraband found in prisons. Sponsors believe that law will provide transparency around emergency medical responses, hospitalizations and drug overdoses.
IDOC will be required to start collecting this data July 1, 2026 and publish the information on or before Aug. 1 of each year. The law also requires the department to make public any substance use disorder treatment or educational materials provided to incarcerated people, or others who have used contraband drugs, to ensure they are receiving adequate treatment and education on substance use issues.
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