We received news that Ms. Buckner was fired following a drug and contraband investigation. We have recently been investigating conditions at SCCC, where there have been 19 deaths in the past year alone. Many of these deaths were fentanyl overdoses, despite the Missouri Department of Correction’s (MoDOC) efforts to isolate incarcerated people from drugs by denying them access to mail and publications, and placing them in segregation.  

Today, many incarcerated people at SCCC living with opioid use disorder still cannot access suboxone, the most effective medication for this disability. Missouri DOC also still refuses to release its policies and protocols concerning access to medication for opioid use disorder — vital information facilitating inmates’ and our clients’ access to care and accountability. While Buckner’s departure is a first step, it does not remedy the ongoing fentanyl and medical care crises at SCCC. 

“We are grateful that leadership will change at SCCC,” office Co-Director Amy Breihan shared. “But we remain outraged over the conditions at that prison, where punishment has been liberally meted out to incarcerated people, masqueraded as security. As MoDOC sent people to the hole, as they denied them access to medication for opioid use disorder, and as people overdosed and died—we all knew that it was guards who were bringing in the drugs, not the people being punished.”  

Attorney Leah Fessler agreed, adding: “We hope that MoDOC prioritizes accountability and transparency as it hopefully works to rectify deadly conditions at SCCC. Ironically, this incident unfolds as Missouri leaders consider establishing an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman to provide oversight of Missouri prison conditions. The conditions at SCCC alone highlight the need for oversight and transparency to ensure those who are housed in those facilities are treated with dignity and in accordance with their constitutional rights.”