www.smokefreeillinoisprisons.org WELCOME TO SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS PRISONS UPDATED 12/23/2007 OUR COALITION SUPPORTED AND FOUGHT FOR TOBACCO FREE LEGISLATION FOR THE IL. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. JULY 23,2007 THE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS ACT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW. ILLINOIS PRISONS WERE INCLUDED IN THIS BILL. UNTIL RECENTLY IT WAS UNCLEAR HOW THIS WOULD EFFECT THE PRISON SYSTEM. INMATES WERE ISSUED A BULLETIN ON OCT. 24, 2007 CONCERNING INMATE TOBACCO USE AS OF JANUARY 1,2008. EMPLOYEES WERE READ A BULLETIN ON DEC. 19,2007 CONCERNING EMPLOYEES USE OF TOBACCO AS OF JANUARY 1,2008. INMATE TOBACCO POLICY : As of Jan. 1, 2008 offenders will no longer be able to purchase and/or possess tobacco related products. Offenders upon request will be provided with smoking cessation materials and information to enhance the transition to a tobacco-free environment. EMPLOYEE TOBACCO POLICY: As of Jan. 1,2008 employees statewide will no longer be allowed to possess tobacco products inside the prisons. All tobacco products are now considered contraband. Smoking will be permitted in the employee parking lot.  Also,employees will not be allowed to take smoke-breaks during their shift according to Illinois Department of Corrections spokesman Derek Schnapp. VISITOR POLICY: As of Jan. 1,2008 visitors will not be permitted to bring tobacco products into the prison. If it is brought in they will be instructed to return it to their vehicle or have prison staff to throw it away. WE WON ! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO HELPED. TAKE A DEEP BREATHE AND CELEBRATE!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR