TextBehind Responds to the Life-Threatening Consequences of Fentanyl Exposure in US Prisons

In 2014, the innovative TextBehind enterprise was launched, connecting inmates with their loved ones through a digital interface and mailing service. Although a simple idea on the surface, the organization does much more than just offer an effective and safe method of communication; it has also formulated a novel solution to the alarming rise of contraband entering prisons, primarily through postal mail soaked in life-threatening narcotics. Through its work, TextBehind provides an increasingly necessary service designed to eliminate the risk of contraband exposure related to privileged and non-privileged legal postal mail.

The introduction of synthetic drugs, particularly Fentanyl and Fentanyl analogs, into correctional facilities by postal mail threatens employees, inmates, and the security of correctional institutions, and the practice of deliberately lacing opioids to ensure targeted lethality represents a dramatic emerging concern. In recent weeks, Fentanyl-related exposure incidents raised extreme concern by their rising prominence in national media – notably, an article published in the Los Angeles Times reported on the unfortunate death of a mailroom officer at the USP Atwater in California.

The officer was rushed to a nearby hospital after being exposed to postal mail that was saturated with an unknown substance. According to the Associated Press, the substance is under examination and could be linked to Fentanyl or Fentanyl analogs. A second worker also suffered from the exposure but was later released after observation, highlighting not only the dangers of substance exposure but of the methods utilized to smuggle contraband to the prison population.

Less than a month later, two similar incidents made headlines as two officers at FCI Thomson, Illinois, were exposed. The officers were saved by administering NARCAN. Reports suggest the postal mail in the prison mailroom was, again, the source of entry. The article includes commentary from Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who states: “The recent hospitalization of two officers at USP Thomson due to drug exposure is deeply concerning. The health and safety of these officers are paramount and must be balanced with timely access to mail by incarcerated persons. It is imperative that the Federal Bureau of Prisons ensures that safety measures and protocols are in place to protect officers from improper exposure to narcotics while screening the mail.”

With a clear connection between Fentanyl-related incidents and inmate postal mailings, TextBehind is leading a fundamental change in inmate mail processing solutions. The organization responds to this pressing national discussion regarding prison security and contraband interdiction by offering industry-proven technology and processes that eliminate this concern in privileged and non-privileged legal communications.

All non-privileged postal mail processed through the TextBehind system is replicated from its original format to a PDF copy, and printed in a way that ensures an almost perfect level of accuracy, every time. This means the content remains intact when delivered to the inmate, while potentially Fentayl-laced paper is removed from the equation. For privileged communications, a separate system is offered that complies with attorney-client regulations, enhanced sender identification, verification, and several other proprietary protocols that proved effective. Acting as an intermediary between prisons and the general population, TextBehind eradicates the risk of Fentanyl exposure in the mailroom, remaining at the leading edge of innovation while preserving the privacy and security of communication in the modern social context.

CEO Zia Rana adds: “There is an obvious relevance and urgency surrounding this matter. While greater focus is being placed on the functions of the prison mailroom, TextBehind stands at the forefront of development. As recent news has shown, inmates and correctional staff would greatly benefit from our available solutions.”

TextBehind prides itself in offering compassion-driven services that are becoming increasingly necessary in today’s world, particularly when it comes to saving lives of the correctional officers and inmates. Many correctional officers expressed their feelings of gratitude to the TextBehind CEO at various in-person events. These opinions showed a dramatic increase in workplace safety when handling non-privileged postal mail processed by TextBehind because the risk of contraband exposure to such correctional officers is non-existent. TextBehind is a leader in the tech and prison reform space, prioritizing the safety of all involved in handling prison mail and successfully championing its core mission of  “Connecting Relationships Today for a Better Tomorrow.”