Second staffer at FCI Thomson exposed to drugs

Just two weeks after a correctional officer was exposed to drugs at the federal prison in Thomson, Ill. (FCI Thomson) and had to be given Narcan, another correctional officer at Thomson has been exposed to what authorities think is amphetamines. The prison is currently on lockdown, a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates. The lockdown is in effect until further notice.

In a news release from AFGE 4070, which represents the prison, Thomson was placed on lockdown on Monday, September 2 after a correctional officer was exposed to what is believed to be amphetamines. The officer had an adverse reaction and needed a “life-saving dose of Narcan” before being taken to a local hospital. Back on August 18, a staff member at Thomson was exposed to narcotics, given Narcan and taken to a hospital. That staff member is reportedly recovering from the incident. There is no word on the condition of the most recent correctional officer.

The problem isn’t just at Thomson. A correctional officer at a federal correctional facility in Atwater, California. Marc Fischer, died on August 9 of this year after being exposed to fentanyl while sorting mail. Jon Zumkehr, president of Local 4070, told Our Quad Cities News in an interview on August 19 that the Bureau of Prisons has stopped screening incoming mail due to funding cuts. “There’s a bill in Congress right now, HR5266 , it scans 100% of mail coming in,” he said. “This is important to us, because right now we don’t scan the mail for drugs. This is why we’re having, across the Federal Bureau of Prisons, staff going to the hospital. We average at Thompson one inmate overdose a week here. This is the problem.”

The bill has several bipartisan cosponsors, including Rep. Mariannette Miller Meeks from Iowa and Rep. Eric Sorensen from Illinois. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee and has been there since August 25, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.