South West Illinois News

State Representative David Friess has joined his colleagues in advocating for changes at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). In a Facebook post dated November 20, Friess expressed concerns about the use of physical mail to introduce dangerous substances into prisons. "We can’t ignore the mounting evidence that physical mail is being used to bring dangerous substances into our prisons," he said.

"These incidents are not just numbers or headlines, they're personal," said Friess, State Representative for 115th District (R), according to Facebook. "The men and women working in these facilities are our friends, our neighbors, and our family members. They deserve to go to work knowing they'll return home safely. We can't ignore the mounting evidence that physical mail is being used to bring dangerous substances into our prisons."

According to Friess's news release, he emphasized the importance of safety within correctional facilities. "Ultimately, this is about safety. We need to come together to ensure the well-being of everyone in our correctional facilities. Our communities and the people who serve them deserve nothing less," Friess said.

Screenshot of State Rep David Friess' Nov. 20 Facebook post | State Representative David Friess' Facebook page

In August, an incident at Menard Correctional Facility highlighted these concerns when a dozen staff members experienced medical reactions to an unknown substance. A report from WSILTV on August 29 detailed that one staff member required hospital transport via ambulance, while eleven others were taken for medical evaluation. The investigation involved Illinois Poison Control and St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Hazmat Team, resulting in a lockdown of the facility and provision of personal protective equipment for staff.

On November 22, WCIA reported that IDOC plans to modify how inmates receive mail. Chuck Stout, lead IDOC liaison for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), explained that inmates will now receive scanned copies of their mail on tablets. "They will get a very clearly scanned, good color, quality copy that they can read and see on the tablet," Stout said.

David Friess is a lifelong resident of Illinois residing in Red Bud with his family. He is actively involved in several organizations including the Red Bud Veterans of Foreign Wars and Chester American Legion. After serving in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves as an aircraft mechanic during Operation Desert Storm, he worked at Delta Airlines before pursuing higher education in criminal justice and law.