XPost: alt.society.labor-unions, il.general, talk.politics.guns   
   XPost: sac.politics, alt.society.liberalism   
   From: nospam@ix.netcom.com   
      
   CENTRALIA, Ill — There were pickets at prisons across the state of   
   Illinois on Thursday afternoon.   
      
   Union members said their jobs aren't safe and are calling on the Illinois   
   Department of Corrections to make improvements.   
      
   American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employee, known as   
   AFSCME, represents more than 10,000 Illinois prison workers.   
      
   Outside of the Centralia Correctional Center, a protest signals problems   
   inside. "Safety Matters" signs represent their message.   
      
   Local union president Keith Kracht said, "In 21 years, I've never seen   
   anything like this."   
      
   Centralia Correctional Center is a medium security facility with about   
   1,100 inmates.   
      
   "Something needs to be done," Kracht added. "Staffing in DOC is abysmal   
   right now."   
      
   Beyond staffing, Kracht worries about inmates' access to narcotics or   
   toxic substances.   
      
   He believes the substances are coming in through mail or visitors.   
      
   Kracht explained some of these substances are either bug spray or a mix of   
   synthetics and they can't really detect what it is, but they know it does   
   not show up on regular drug tests.   
      
   As an educator in the prison, Kracht worries about the inmates too.   
      
   "There is no way they can better themselves or go through programming if   
   they can't think logically, normally and uninhibited, it's impossible to   
   do," Kracht added.   
      
   As a nurse, Jennifer Hodge thinks about the quality of care.   
      
   "It's hard to treat something when you don't know the substance, what can   
   reverse it, what won't," she shared.   
      
   She also admits the low staffing takes a toll, as they have to step in to   
   work overtime.   
      
   The protest is meant to call out concerns and be a call to action.   
      
   "It's hard coming to work not knowing that you'll make it out and everyone   
   will make it out at the end of the shift," Hodge added.   
      
   Kracht said statewide, there are also reports of violent assaults.   
      
   "If things don't change, we'll see people really, really hurt more than   
   they are now," Kracht said.   
      
   AFSCME released a 15-page report about their concerns.   
      
   The Illinois Department of Corrections shared this statement:   
      
   "The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) recognizes the difficult   
   and challenging situations our facility staff face every day in their   
   efforts to keep our state safe. We deeply value and appreciate the   
   dedication and sacrifices of our frontline employees. Ensuring the safety   
   of our staff, individuals in custody, and everyone entering our facilities   
   remains our top priority. While we are actively exploring options to   
   enhance safety, measures are in place to address potential risks   
   associated with mail handling. IDOC has a Suspicious Substance Emergency   
   Procedure in place, which outlines the steps to be taken if a suspicious   
   substance is discovered. Additionally, we have intensified mail screening   
   protocols, encouraged the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and   
   deployed tactical units to conduct targeted facility searches. We are   
   working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois   
   State Police, and medical experts to identify the cause of recent   
   incidents and determine long-term solutions. These efforts are focused on   
   improving safety while ensuring individuals in custody maintain essential   
   communications and family connections. We remain committed to working with   
   all stakeholders, including our labor partners, to ensure a safe and   
   secure working environment for our staff."   
      
   https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/illinois-union-represented-prison-   
   employees-picket-statewide-over-workplace-safety/63-d2725456-1e3a-40fa-   
   a48f-032405d5a48d?ref=exit-recirc   
      
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