SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Rachel Ventura introduced a series of new criminal justice reform policies — including bringing medication-assisted treatment programs into Department of Corrections facilities and continuing to address Prisoner Review Board reforms including medical release hearing changes.

“Aligning our state’s incarceration facilities more closely with a rehabilitation-focused approach — while prioritizing health care and restorative justice over punishment — is key to reducing crime, recidivism and costs to the state,” said Ventura (D-Joliet).

Under SB 179, the Prisoner Review Board would provide disciplinary, program participation and educational records within 60 days of hearings, and medical records and evaluations upon approving a petition for a medical release hearing. The proposed changes would improve how the board conducts medical release hearings, making the process more fair, efficient and transparent.

 "The Joe Coleman Medical Release Act acknowledges that some incarcerated people with terminal illnesses or serious disabilities should be sent home to spend their final days with their families," said State Representative Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago). "By clarifying and expediting the process, more qualifying individuals will use this Act, making sure people get the quality care they deserve while also alleviating high healthcare costs in our prison system."

Additionally, medically assisted treatments (MAT) and medication for opiate use disorder (MOUD) programs would be available in every state prison under SB 2185, ensuring those who are dealing with substance abuse are given proper and humane treatment. The bill is modeled after an MAT program used in Kane County Adult Justice Center since 2019, which Ventura learned about from Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain.

"We've dropped our opiate overdose deaths of formerly incarcerated by 89% for those in the medically assisted treatment program," Hain said. “This is proof that the program works and can significantly impact the incarcerated individual’s life.”

Lastly, Ventura introduced Senate Bill 2417, which would create a canine unit pilot program to detect illegal substances in mail within the Department of Corrections.

The contraband screening program would include the use of a leashed and controlled canine trained to detect illegal drugs at each correctional institution or facility housing 100 or more incarcerated individuals.

Senate Bills 179, 2185 and 2417 currently await Senate committee assignments.