Black Lives Matter calling for visitation fees to be removed at McLean County Jail
Written by WZND Newsroom on April 16, 2020
Photo courtesy to BLM Facebook page
BLOOMIGTON, Ill.- Last night Black Lives Matter (BLM) had their fifth community call, where they discussed how they can work to help the most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis.
“As you know, decarceration has been a focus of BLM Blono as COVID-19 continues to reach every corner of our society. We know that inmates are unsafe and unable to protect themselves from the Coronavirus when it reaches the McLean County Jail,” said BLM Blono.
“We have driven calls to county officials like Sheriff Sandage, Chief Judge Mark Fellheimer and State’s Attorney Don Knapp asking that they release all inmates on cash bond and anyone whose health creates a high risk.”
However BLM Blono did say it is encouraging to hear that the jail population has been reduced by one third in the last month, but they believe that county officials can do more.
One concern they have is the high costs of video visits and phone calls.
BLM Blono will be providing fund to people to pay for video and phone calls to their loved ones. Currently the the cost of video visits is $7.50 and the phone calls are $.25 per minute.
BLM Blono has asked for the officials to remove the fees.
“We’ve asked that the County Board and the Sheriff’s Office waive the fees, but they haven’t taken any action,” BLM Blono.
