Inmate Deaths Linked to Drug-Laced Paper in Chicago Prison
A disturbing trend involving lethal drugs smuggled into a Chicago prison has come to light amidst a series of inmate deaths. Recently, officials revealed that paper soaked with these dangerous substances was brought into the facility.
Experiencing a crisis similar in severity to the crack epidemic of the 1990s, prison officials are desperate to address the situation. Back in January 2023, guards at Cook County Correctional Facility were baffled when they discovered inmate Thomas Diskin, 57, dead in his cell near the toilet. No signs of foul play or any obvious injuries were apparent.
Interestingly, though, burnt fragments of paper were found scattered around his cell, prompting Chief Deputy Brad Curry from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to suggest an investigation. “I thought we needed to test this and figure out what was happening,” he recalled.
Eventually, laboratory tests confirmed that the paper was soaked in a synthetic cannabinoid known as pinaca, which turned out to be fatal when smoked.
Tragically, before officials could intervene, more inmates suffered similar fates. Within two weeks of Diskin’s death, a 23-year-old inmate was also found dead, followed by another fatality of a 35-year-old inmate just weeks later. By year-end, six prisoners had succumbed to overdoses after smoking strips of drug-soaked paper, often using homemade “wicks” like slow-burning toilet paper.
“We were completely in the dark about the situation, but I had a suspicion it involved drugs,” Curry remarked. “We were racing against time… The new drug we encountered was extremely toxic and Narcan didn’t seem to help.”]
To mitigate the issue, facility officials began warning inmates about the dangers of smuggled drugs, with signs posted throughout the prison advising against the use of soaked paper. Guards also started monitoring all incoming mail for suspicious stains and increased cell inspections.
Despite these measures, the size of the drug-laden paper made it difficult for security personnel to detect, and even trained K-9 units were unable to identify the new synthetic cannabinoids, according to Curry. “We’re doing everything possible short of banning paper, but that would hinder communication for inmates,” he added.
New Smuggling Tactics
As surveillance intensified in the mailroom, smugglers adapted by soaking legal documents in drugs to give the appearance of legitimate mail. For example, a thick book was shipped to the prison under the guise of a package from Amazon.
According to Curry, a single 12-by-12 inch piece of drug-laced paper could fetch up to $10,000. This money enticed several corrupt employees who were ultimately arrested for facilitating smuggling operations. “If you’re on the take, it’s pretty easy to monetize this,” he explained.
Visits from relatives also serve as a channel for smuggling. Surveillance footage from a May 2024 visit captured a woman tossing a small piece of drug-soaked paper across the table to an inmate, who discreetly pocketed it.
Since 2023, law enforcement in Cook County has made about 130 felony arrests regarding smuggling and drug possession involving paper. Advanced machines designed to inspect paper for non-ink substances are now also being utilized to help manage infectious disease control.
Although the number of drug-related deaths decreased in 2024, recent reports indicate more fatalities have occurred this year already. Officials have noted a trend towards more potent synthetic cannabinoids being used, raising concerns for the future.
“I suspect that the drugs we’re dealing with now, and their increased potency, contribute to a higher likelihood of infections,” stated Curry, “and anticipation is growing for this year’s death toll to exceed what we’ve seen thus far.”
The outbreak has now reached other prisons around the nation, fueling fears about the potential consequences if drug-laced paper escapes into the general population. “Imagine if a police officer pulls someone over and finds a bundle of paper—what they won’t realize is that it could hold a fortune in drugs, all undetectable by their dogs,” Curry warned. “If this spills onto the streets, it could lead to an unprecedented wave of new drug dealing. We’re talking about a severe crisis, potentially worse than fentanyl on the market.”
