South Central Reporter

In a Jan. 26 Facebook post, Sen. Jason Plummer shared his concerns over a recent incident at Graham Correctional Facility and announced on Facebook that he requested a tour.

The incident occurred at John A. Graham Correctional Center on Jan. 18, when 18 staff members went to local hospitals after interacting with inmates who were experiencing severe discomfort, according to a WTOK report.

"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 Senator Steve McClure, of the prison at the earliest possible time," Plummer said.

Different statements have been made about the materials involved in the outbreak. However, it is still unknown what substance caused the sickness.

Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Puzzello claimed that the Illinois State Police hazardous materials team was involved in the investigation.

“Medical incident involving individuals in custody who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance," Puzzello said. "All staff members who may have potentially encountered the unknown substance were also sent to a local hospital, as a precaution. All staff are stable currently and many have already been discharged."

According to ABC7, the materials tested by the Illinois State Police did not turn out to be narcotics or hazardous materials. The Illinois State Police will conduct additional testing on clothing.

Plummer also included specific questions regarding the incident.

"How many have been caught smuggling items and substances into the Graham facility," he asked. "How many of those substances have been found? He's also requesting information about lockdown status on the 18th or 19th and whether searches of the facility occurred afterward."

The facility is under investigation and Plummer expressed that all areas of government should be involved.

Graham Correctional Center opened in 1980 and is a medium security facility for adult male inmates. There are approximately 1,328 inmates there, and the maximum capacity of the center is 1,596.

"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."