Editor’s note: the sewage system in Pearl’s unit at Logan Correctional Center has backed up for the second time in days. All the drains (showers, toilets, hallways, dayroom) expelled raw sewage water that left the bathroom unusable and many areas unwalkable.

Despite that, detainees were still required to receive the permission of a “white-shirt” officer to use functional restrooms elsewhere (which took over an hour). During that time if you had to go you were forced to use backed up toilets.

This is biohazardous waste that detainees were forced to walk (or in Pearl’s case, wheel) through to reach medical services and other destinations. Pearl’s wheelchair was nearly stuck in sewage water at one point, and it got all over her shoes and hands.

How did staff clean up the mess? Using the brooms/rags and other supplies the detainees use daily to clean the area under normal, non-biohazardous situations. Staff provided no sanitization supplies to Pearl and others after the sewage water was drained.

This is how we are treating elderly and vulnerable populations during a global pandemic. Shameful and heartbreaking. @GovPritzker you have the power to release the loved and valued people trapped in these disgustingly inhumane conditions.

— M