The Menard Correctional Center in Chester is currently on lockdown, and staff have been provided with personal protective equipment as a hazmat team and the Department of Corrections investigate a recent incident.
According to the Department of Corrections (DOC), two staff members reported to the facility’s health care unit on the morning of August 26th after experiencing symptoms linked to a medical emergency involving an inmate in one of the cell houses. Both were treated at an outside hospital and have since been released.
While transporting the inmate for treatment, another officer also reported feeling ill and was treated and released as well. Following this, the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency’s hazmat team was contacted.
All staff in the affected cell house were instructed to wear PPE and monitor the area for any additional medical issues. The DOC reported no further incidents on Monday or Tuesday.
However, on Wednesday morning, another staff member at the correctional center exhibited symptoms and was transported by ambulance to an outside hospital. Shortly afterward, other staff members who responded to the incident began experiencing similar symptoms. As a precaution, 11 additional staff members were taken to an outside hospital for evaluation but have since been released.
The DOC has reached out to the Illinois Poison Control Center and requested assistance from the St. Clair County EMA’s hazmat team to investigate the situation. The facility is currently under a level 1 lockdown, and PPE is available for all staff.
The department emphasizes that their top priority is the safety and well-being of both staff and inmates. Investigations into the events at Menard are ongoing. One of the inmates, Ray Tate is serving a life sentence at Menard for the December 2021 murder of Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy, Sean Riley.
Comments