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* Word is going around that Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration has sent out a letter announcing that all prison closures will move forward. The Tamms super max facility in deep southern Illinois, is scheduled for closure on August 31st. Dwight’s prison and the Murphysboro juvenile boot camp will also close on August 31st. The Joliet facility will close in October.
This is a press release just sent out by Rep. Brandon Phelps about the announcement…
State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) released the following statement regarding Governor Pat Quinn’s planned August 31, 2012 closure of the Tamms Correctional Center and other Southern Illinois facilities:
“I am disappointed and shocked by the governor’s out-of-touch efforts to close the Tamms Correctional Center, one of the few facilities in the state that deals with the most disruptive, violent and problematic offenders. This decision will put 300 Southern Illinoisans in the unemployment line.
We all know that Illinois is facing a huge financial crisis that will require government to cut back and reduce spending. But if the governor wants to show he is serious about getting the state to live within its means, he should focus on all of the waste and mismanagement that occurs in Springfield and Chicago on a daily basis before handing out pink slips to all the employees at Tamms, and again unfairly targeting Southern Illinois facilities which he has now done.
The governor’s plan is not a responsible way to address the state’s financial problems, which is why I proposed a plan where the prison could be retooled to become more of a standard prison. This would save much needed jobs and help to address the overcrowding within our state’s prisons. I believe that Governor Quinn does not know the huge mistake he is making. His bad decision will damage the local economy and make life even more difficult for many families who are already struggling to make ends meet. We need to collectively come together as Southern Illinois residents and pray for those families who will be affected by this closure. The Illinois Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Justice has informed me that affected employees will receive a new layoff packet with a revised list of available vacancies and an amended seniority roster.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 1:52 pm
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Phelps is correct that this will be a big hit economically for Alexander County.
According to BLS, there are only about 1900 full-time jobs in Alexander County, only about 1200 of which are private sector jobs.
That said, it is not the mission or role of the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide employment.
And, unless I’m mistaken, every employee at Tamms will be offered a transfer.
The bigger concern is how to prevent the facility from becoming a blight once its closed.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:03 pm
===if the governor wants to show he is serious about getting the state to live within its means, he should focus on all of the waste and mismanagement that occurs in Springfield and Chicago on a daily basis===
Of course he doesn’t offer any examples, with the possible exception of $20,000 for coffee supplies. C’mon Brandon, where is all of the waste and mismanagement? Find enough and you can keep your prison. This shouldn’t be too hard to do if said waste/mismanagement actually exists.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:04 pm
There is no question that there is a desperate need for employment in Alexander County–one of the poorest in Illinois. But how many employees of Tamms actually live in Alexander County? Many live north–e.g., in Union County. In any event, the job of Tamms is not to provide jobs–it is to keep Illinois’ citizens safe.
Tamms is a sinkhole for money desperately needed elsewhere. There is no evidence that Tamms has had any impact on the safety of the Illinois prison system–and the Department itself admits that it does not need Tamms to keep the prisons safe. Illinois has over a thousand beds in segregation units for trouble makers. Better management, increased funding, and reducing overcrowding will all make Illinois safer. Tamms does not.
Comment by Alan Mills Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:25 pm
Things are difficult all over our state, very difficult. But dumping millions into rebuilding Tamms in austere times? I can’t see that ever happening. It would be a gross embarrassment to cut every program that reduces crime and prevents incarceration and build a whole new medium-security facility out of Tamms. Those days are over.
Comment by state worker Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:25 pm
Alexander was one of only two counties that voted for all D’s. I guess that worked out for them.
Comment by Raising Kane Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:26 pm
–Alexander was one of only two counties that voted for all D’s. I guess that worked out for them.– This doesn’t seem to me to be about D or R - but about having no other choice. At least Quinn if taking action - instead of just blowing smoke.
Comment by collar observer Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:32 pm
Governor Quinn I applaud you, for doing what is right and by standing firm in your decision to close down Tamms, my prayers are with you!
Comment by Lucky Star Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:34 pm
–Alexander was one of only two counties that voted for all D’s. I guess that worked out for them.–
Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work? Or do you think state spending and facilities should be determined by how you vote?
Must be one of those elusive small-government Republicans you hear about, but never quite see.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:34 pm
sorry the purpose of prisons is to house bad guys and gals not to prop up your local economy. deal.
Comment by Shore Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:46 pm
Everyone wants the good people of southern Illinois to have jobs. The State just can’t afford Tamms, at $26 million a year, nor can we afford the millions and millions it would take to convert an entirely supermax prison into a mixed use one. I hear that jobs will be available at the other downstate corrections facilities for the current employees of Tamms and I hope that’s the case. Many current employees of Tamms live far from Tamms or across the border as it is.
Comment by jjdamain Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:52 pm
I know firsthand how a facility closure can wound a community. It’s a big, big hit to atmosphere of the town, not just the economy. However, credit downgrades at the state level and vendors closing shop left and right would be a hit to the atmosphere and economy of the entire state.
This is exactly what is meant by “making hard choices to bring the state’s fiscal house in order.*” Those aren’t just empty words, it’s saying exactly what’s going on.
*While not a direct quote, c’mon, we all have heard this a thousand times in various permutations, from both sides of the issue.
Comment by Colossus Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 2:57 pm
Will Brandon Phelps also pray for all the families of men in Tamms who have become suicidal, begun to cut themselves, or sunk so deep into a depression that they may never come out? Will he pray for the men released from Tamms who can’t walk into a room with other people w/o shrinking away, or who may never be able to hold a job because of PTSD resulting from a decade or more of solitary confinement and sensory deprivation? It is about time we closed this prison, saved money and saved our souls. Illinois should not torture its prisoners, no matter how man jobs it are at stake.
Comment by bartelby Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:08 pm
Tamms is an embarrassment. I do not consider torture to be a tool of economic development. Shut it down.
Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:13 pm
“Cuts for thee, but not for me.” In other words, the same old story.
Comment by reformer Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:15 pm
There is a real safety issue that will rear its ugly head once the closure is completed. Pray for the inmates and families of DOC employees. They are going to need it.
Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:18 pm
How do you close the newest (read: most efficient prison) but keep open prisons that are more than 100 years old (read inefficient), unless your criteria is pandering to the far left.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:35 pm
Phelps reveals the phoniness of the budget cut, cut, cut mantra. The target is always the ghosts of “waste and mismanagement”. Real cuts are the reality. Get used to it.
Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:37 pm
Michelle, I don’t think the far left is screaming to cut the state’s budget to the bone. Efficiency can be very complicated to calculate. I’m not saying I have the information necessary to evaluate the decision, but I don’t think it’s made in a vacuum.
Comment by Colossus Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:38 pm
@Michelle -
I believe that Tamms was determined to cost more than three times per inmate what the other prisons cost.
In fact, it is not the most “efficient”, although it is the second-most modern.
I think Thompson is actually younger by a smidgeon.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:44 pm
Bartelby, and who shall pray for the many, many victims of those sent to Tamms?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:45 pm
As Southern Illinois is quickly learning King Quinn will do and say what he wants. Down with the tyrant of Chicago!
Comment by redrum Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:47 pm
===King Quinn===
Funniest nickname ever. I don’t believe you’ve ever met the governor.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:50 pm
“I’m the king, dammit!” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it…
Comment by Colossus Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:57 pm
redrum, it does no good to set South against North as if we are fighting the Civil War here in Illinois. In fact, Chicago gives more in aid to Southern Illinois than it gets back in taxes. And there is plenty of pain in Chicago from the latest round of cuts. We are all suffering from this depression! Instead of attacking Quinn, ask the US Congress to pass a stimulus to help states pay for their workers. That is where all the job losses have been.
Comment by bartelby Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 3:57 pm
I agree he should focus on all of the waste and mismanagement that occurs in Springfield and Chicago on a daily basis. The money spent on overtime and travel is huge at my agency.
Comment by Just Because Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 4:12 pm
I thought Joliet closed years ago.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 4:38 pm
To anyone that thinks Tamms has not made the prison system safer. The information has PROVEN Tamms made the entire system safer. Before Tamms was opened the system averaged over 280 days a year on lockdown. Since Tamms has been opened it has been less than 280 days over the last 14 years. If that does not make the system better and safer for everyone, staff and inmates alike, then nothing ever will.
Comment by Southern Illinois Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 4:47 pm
Tamms is needed as much today as it was in the past. When it closes, the IDOC will return to the chaos of the mid 1990’s It is a shame that the Governor is listening to the far left like Alan Mills and Tamms Year Ten.
Comment by Tamms C.C Employee Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 5:25 pm
The inmates at Tamms put themselves there by their own behavior. Closing it is a big mistake.
Comment by Former IDOC Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 5:43 pm
With all the discussion on fiscal responsibility can anyone tell me why a facility like IYC St. Charles is allowed to remain open despite 6 non operable living units, a condemned infirmary, a minimum of four other condemned out buildings, an ongoing asbestos problem and yet sound structures such as IYC Murphysboro and IYC Joliet are scheduled for closure. It will cost the Illinois taxpayer in excess of 20,000,000 - 80,000,000 dollars to rebuild this facility. Fiscal responsibility gone wild! Thank you Governor Quinn and your advisors for once again proving how out of touch you are with reality.
Comment by Walk in my shoes Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 6:08 pm
The closure of Tamms was never about the budget. The Quinn administration and DOC entered into a project with the Vera Institute for Social Justice in early 2010 to end Segregation in Illinois. This is the reason behind closing Tamms, but no one wants to report on that project. Look it up for yourselves, it is not hard to find. If closing Tamms is such a wonderful idea, why do they need to distort the truth report myths, and outright lie about it? Tie into this the comments that Sen. Durbin made today and surely you can see where the dots connect. Its about the Progresive agenda. Nothing else.
Comment by SO IL M Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 6:43 pm
@SO IL M–It would be incredible if budget issues were a cover for a secret humanitarian agenda. Why is that easier for you to believe, given the fiscal situation? But hey Illinois, Opaa!
Comment by Opaa! Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 7:11 pm
Humanitarian? I did not say Humanitarian, I said Progresive. Did you look up the Vera Institutes Illinois Project like I suggested? Did you read Sen Durbins comments today? It is not secret it is in their own words, not mine if you will just look and see it for yourself. Exchanging Criminal Justice for Social Justice is not “Humanitarian”.
Comment by SO IL M Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 7:27 pm
Pickneyville (last of the X-house medium security designs), Lawrence (first of the T-design medium security facilities) and Thomson were all opened after Tamms, as well as the new R & C outside the wall at Stateville. IYC Rushville (although never occupied by DOC) and IYC Kewanee were also completed after Tamms.
Comment by In the Sticks Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 10:03 pm
Pickneyville (last of the X-house medium security designs), Lawrence (first of the T-design medium security facilities) and Thomson were all opened after Tamms, as well as the new R & C outside the wall at Stateville. IYC Rushville (although never occupied by DOC) and IYC Kewanee were also completed after Tamms.
Comment by In the Sticks Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 10:03 pm
Wow….that rambline explanation is like coffee on crack!
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 10:45 pm
So I am suposed to pay taxes to provide government jobs in places I certainly don’t want to live
Sorry…I’m personally tired of paying for the usual liberal causes. I pay taxes and vote too so while you may not agree with me, I have a voice too.
Comment by Sueann Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 11:40 pm
Just so everyone knows and understands I have been there for a little over a year I’ve already been told I will NOT have a career with IDOC if Tamms closes. I also know of a lot of good men and women that live in Alexander county and work at Tamms. People need to understand these INMATES did not get sent to Tamms for planting flowers in their cells at other prisons they physically hurt or KILLED someone. Personally someone hurts or KILLS someone they should NOT have anyone feel sorry for them. They have no feelings for other human.
Comment by southern Tuesday, Jun 19, 12 @ 11:56 pm
Not only are the Inmates in solitary confinement but are mistreated & harassed. Ask the family members how they get treated when they visit? Every C/O thinks they have the authority to mistreat them in any & every way. They do not do there jobs professionally. I feel what goes around comes back around.
Comment by one who knows Wednesday, Jun 20, 12 @ 12:31 am
One who knows—That is a Lie. Once again if closing Tamms is such a great idea, why do those who want it closed have to resort to distortion, myths and outright lies in their argument. You say that you know, but you prove that you know nothing.
Comment by SO IL M Wednesday, Jun 20, 12 @ 7:15 am
It is scary to have these people? who are a big safety risk back in the regular population. Pray for the employees and other prisoners.
Comment by Patty T Wednesday, Jun 20, 12 @ 8:19 am