Thanks for the information Sonshine.  I was told he could have a no contact visit, yet his counselor is saying she doesn't have any information regarding his ticket.  I hope to find out more next week...

Commentary: Modernize the marijuana laws in Illinois

March 6, 2015


It’s time to rethink Illinois’ approach to low-level drug offenses.

Whatever one may think of the wisdom of marijuana legalization, putting people in jail for years is hardly a rational way to deal with low-level drug offenses. Illinois has the fifth-highest arrest rate for marijuana possession in the United States.

According to research by the Vera Institute, it costs Illinois taxpayers over $38,000 a year to keep just one person in prison. Illinois prisons are already substantially overcrowded, holding 48,227 inmates as of mid-February.

That’s over 150 percent of the capacity state prisons were designed to hold. Illinois prisons are in the midst of a serious budget crisis and face being unable to meet payroll as soon as April.

Of course, not everyone caught with marijuana ends up in prison. But arrests, jails and court proceedings all cost money too. Illinois’ limited criminal-justice resources need to be oriented first and foremost toward addressing crimes with victims, not personal conduct.

A recently introduced bill updating Illinois’ marijuana law would be a significant shift toward creating a more fiscally responsible and cost-effective drug policy in the Land of Lincoln.

House Bill 218, introduced by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, would amend the Cannabis Control Act by decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. If passed, the new law would punish marijuana possession under 30 grams with a fine of $100, and would lower penalties for possession of over 30 grams but less than 500. Illinois wouldn’t be alone in decriminalizing; 17 states and Washington, D.C. have already decriminalized marijuana, starting with Oregon in 1973.

The Illinois Policy Institute hasn’t taken a position on marijuana legalization. Decriminalization is not legalization: it doesn’t allow people to possess large amounts of marijuana or sell it. But it does allow people who possess small amounts to pay a relatively small fine instead of facing jail time. Right now, possession of 30 grams of marijuana is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison. And anyone holding more than 30 grams faces at least a class 4 felony, which comes with a sentence of up to three years in prison.

HB 218 would not legalize the possession or sale of marijuana in Illinois (although another bill introduced this legislative session, Senate Bill 753, would legalize possession of small amounts). But it recognizes the simple truth that it makes no sense to consume our justice system’s resources, or to take taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars, to punish low-level possession.

Given the state of Illinois’ finances, residents simply can’t afford to keep relying on incarceration to address every activity someone disapproves of.

Decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession won’t solve all of Illinois’ criminal-justice or budget issues. But it is an easy first step to cutting back on the state’s prison population and bringing Illinois’ budget under control.


http://rockrivertimes.com/2015/03/06/commentary-modernize-the-marijuana-laws-in-illinois/

I just called and was told that they are having visits but BRAVO house was on lockdown....does anyone know what happened?

Thank you.

Inmate fights.

Hello,

Does anyone know why North house was put on LD on Saturday?

Stateville is on PARTIAL LOCKDOWN - PLEASE CALL BEFORE VISITING.

This topic is for UPDATES on the LD ONLY!!

Thank You!

    Monday incident results in Menard lockdown
       
    A Monday incident at Menard Correctional Center in Chester involved roughly 25 inmates, according to Ty Peterson, staff representative with AFSCME Council 31.AP PhotoA Monday incident at Menard Correctional Center in Chester involved roughly 25 inmates, according to Ty Peterson, staff representative with AFSCME Council 31. IDOC officials confirmed the incident.

    By Pete Spitler
    The Herald Tribune

    Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 3:03 PM

        A Monday morning incident involving roughly 25 inmates resulted in Menard Correctional Center in Chester being placed on lockdown.

        Ty Peterson, staff representative at AFSCME Council 31, told the Herald Tribune on Thursday that shots were fired by correctional officers during the inmate-on-inmate incident in an attempt to bring the situation under control.

        “There was an incident on the yard,” Peterson said. “No correctional officers were injured in the altercation.”

        There is no word at this point if any inmates suffered injuries. Peterson said he does not know what sparked the incident at the maximum-security facility.

        “The union never knows as (IDOC) doesn’t tell us,” he said. “If we ever know, we’re the last to know what happened.”

        According to the Illinois Department of Corrections’ website, Menard was listed as being on lockdown with no visits allowed.

        “The DOC changed the terminology last fall to ‘feeding in,’” Peterson said. “That’s how they reference the facility now and it’s not like a total lockdown.

        “It’s kind of a touchy thing, but it’s just part of their way not to say the facility is on lockdown.”

        Peterson said there will be times the facility does a “feeding in” and not be on lockdown.

        “But this particular instance could be considered a lockdown,” he said.

        UPDATE AT 4:19 P.M.:

        In an emailed response to the Herald Tribune, IDOC spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said IDOC officials are still investigating the incident that involved "multiple" inmates at Menard.

        "No correctional officers were injured, but one inmate suffered a broken hand," Wilson wrote. "Others suffered minor injuries associated with a fight like scrapes and bruising."

        Wilson said it is too soon to determine whether any inmates will face charges for their involvement in the fight.

        "However, once the investigation is complete, we will ensure the proper internal disciplinary charges are administered and if warranted, criminal charges will be brought forth," she said.

        Wilson said no motive for the fight has been determined and she is not sure how long Menard will remain on lockdown.

    http://www.randolphcountyheraldtribune.com/article/20150305/NEWS/150309587/13406/NEWS#sthash.idspkDbf.dpuf

Ok, I Def will be trying it. Thanks so much for your help!

welcome to IPT. They can send and receive mail always. Sometimes it is slower during a lockdown though. If you get a chance check out the PDF on here that explains the levels of lockdown and what the inmates can do on each level.